More than £9 million in grants is being distributed to 31 charities and community groups across England, Scotland, and Wales through round 11 of the Ofgem Energy Redress Scheme. The funding is aimed at supporting vulnerable households with energy bills while also advancing initiatives that promote carbon reduction and sustainable energy use.
Among the recipients is Fife-based charity Greener Kirkcaldy, which will receive £272,541 to deliver its ‘Connecting Communities’ project. The initiative will provide tailored energy advice to around 700 households, particularly targeting residents facing literacy and digital barriers. By using a community engagement approach, the charity aims to help those most at risk of fuel poverty, including people with language difficulties, learning disabilities, and limited digital access.
Community Action Northumberland has been awarded £303,993 for its ‘Powering People’ project, which focuses on off-grid households. The funding will support efforts to improve access to sustainable energy solutions, reduce dependence on diesel generators, and develop a scalable model that could be applied to off-grid communities nationwide. This initiative builds on previous awareness-raising efforts highlighting the struggles of more than 350 households in Northumberland that remain disconnected from the electricity grid.
In Pembrokeshire, Cwm Arian Renewable Energy (CARE) has been granted £246,724 for its ‘Unlocker’ project. The funding will allow CARE to expand its renewable energy generation, with revenues directed towards helping vulnerable households and supporting new community-led renewable energy initiatives. The project aims to strengthen local resilience while contributing to the UK’s broader energy transition.
Representatives from the Energy Saving Trust and Ofgem highlighted the dual benefits of the scheme: providing direct support to households struggling with energy costs and driving the UK’s progress towards net zero. They emphasized that the scheme demonstrates how enforcement actions against energy companies can translate into meaningful community support, empowering charities and local groups to combat fuel poverty while promoting innovative carbon-cutting solutions.
Since its launch in 2018, the Energy Redress Scheme has distributed over £181 million to 721 projects across Great Britain. Funded through payments from energy companies that have breached industry rules, the scheme is managed by the Energy Saving Trust, ensuring that resources are channelled into initiatives that deliver long-term benefits for communities and the environment.
