The Mayor wants to make London a zero carbon city by 2030. For this to happen, London will need to be supplied by a range of efficient and clean energy sources. The London Community Energy Fund provides much-needed support to get community energy projects up and running and deployed faster to reboot the economy and benefit hard-hit communities.
Phase six now open for applications
Phase six of the London Community Energy Fund (LCEF) is now open for applications.
Up to £400,000 of funding is available to support community energy projects across the capital. Funding is available across four streams supporting a range of projects:
- Stream A – Feasibility and business case development grants of up to £15,000
- Stream B – Project implementation and delivery grants of up to a third of the capital value of the project, capped at a maximum of £50,000
- Stream C – Innovation and pre-feasibility development micro-grants of up to £5,000 per project supported
- Stream D – Training, events and engagement grants of up to £5,000 per group supported.
What projects are suitable for funding?
LCEF can fund projects run by community energy groups, as well as those supporting renewable-energy and energy-saving measures on community buildings. This may include projects that help to reduce energy usage and running costs in schools, community centres, places of worship libraries and other sites providing a service to the local community.
The majority of previous LCEF projects have involved solar PV, however the fund can be used for projects using a range of technologies that increase renewable generation and/or lead to demonstrable carbon savings. This could include but is not limited to: ground or air source heat-pumps, building energy management systems, battery storage, LED lighting and thermal improvements to building fabric.
Who can apply?
The fund is particularly targeted at small organisations with charitable aims operating in London. We welcome applications from community groups who have not been involved in energy projects previously or to be an energy or environmental group.
Further details are available in the prospectus
How to apply
Please see the LCEF prospectus to find out more about the fund’s requirement and decide which funding stream is best suited to your project.
Once you are clear on which funding stream you’d like to apply for, you can request an application form here.
You will receive the application form by email in Microsoft Word format
When is the deadline for applications?
Applicants can submit applications any time before 11.59pm, Sunday, 5 February 2023. These should be submitted to [email protected] along with all the required supporting documentation.
Applications will be reviewed and assessed by a panel of experts including Greater London Authority officers in February 2023. Successful applicants will be informed in April 2023.
For further information about the London Community Energy Fund please see the FAQ section. If you are still unsure about whether to apply and would like to discuss your application, please send an enquiry to [email protected].
Examples of church projects supported by this funding in 2021-2022 include:
Renewable Energy Feasibility Options Appraisal
Christ Church Sutton have been awarded £5,000 to explore low carbon options to replace their existing boilers.
St Mildred’s Church
St Mildred’s Church in [Lee,] Lewisham have received £4,800 to carry out feasibility studies to find a low carbon alternative to their existing boilers.
PV panels at St Andrew’s Church, Waterloo
St John’s Church Waterloo have been awarded £5,000 to install solar PV on the roof of St Andrew’s Church in Southwark.
St Laurence Catford air source heat pump
St Laurence Church & Centre in Catford have been awarded £50,000 to install an air source heat pump in their church’s community centre in Lewisham.
Renewal and greening of internal lighting system
St Peter’s Parochial Church Council [Streatham] have been awarded £17,500 to redesign and install LED lighting in their church in Lambeth.
