People and neighbourhoods across the North East will benefit from a new multi-million-pound programme to cut energy bills with local clean energy projects.
North East Mayor Kim McGuinness has launched the North East Energy Accelerator, a £3.95 million programme designed to turn local energy ideas into projects that deliver lasting benefits for local people and the local environment.
From community-owned renewable energy schemes to other local clean energy projects, the programme will help people take greater control of their energy future while attracting new investment into the region.
North East Mayor Kim McGuinness said:
“We know the pressure that high energy bills put on household budgets but also the pressure they put on community organisations and local services.
“This programme will allow communities to take greater control of their energy future. By backing local clean energy projects, we can keep more money in local communities, reduce energy costs and create benefits that stay in our towns and villages.
“The North East is already leading the UK’s green energy revolution. We have the skills, ambition and industrial strength to play a major role in the country's clean energy future.
“By helping more projects get off the ground, we can create good jobs, bring investment into our region and make sure local people share in the benefits.”
The programme includes a £2 million fund to help local projects access specialist technical, legal and commercial expertise, an £800,000 capital fund for community-focussed clean energy projects and training and support for people developing new schemes.
The aim is to help more local clean energy projects move from good ideas into reality. In doing so, communities will be able to generate more of their own clean energy, keep more money circulating locally and reduce exposure to volatile energy prices.
The programme will work with communities and partners across the North East, including Great British Energy and the North East and North Yorkshire New Zero Hub, to help bring projects forward.
Over the next three years, the North East Energy Accelerator is expected to help dozens of local projects get off the ground. These projects will create opportunities for businesses, strengthen local supply chains and increase clean energy generation across the region.
The North East Energy Accelerator programme will run until 2029 and forms part of the Mayor’s ambition to make the North East the home of the green energy revolution whist ensuring local people share in the benefits