- £10 million funding for innovative entrepreneurs to turn
ideas into green technologies helping fuel the UK’s energy
security
- funding supports UK’s commitment to cheap and reliable
low-carbon energy, reducing reliance on expensive fossil fuels
and exposure to volatile global prices
- further £7 million funding for fourteen energy efficiency and
decarbonisation projects across England and Wales through the
Industrial Energy Transformation Fund (IETF)
Energy entrepreneurs driving forward innovative ways of cutting
the UK’s reliance on expensive fossil fuels have the chance to
make their plans and ideas a reality, thanks to £10 million in
government funding.
The ninth round of the Energy Entrepreneurs Fund (EEF), which seeks to promote
new clean technologies across all sectors of the UK economy, is
opening for applications as the government drives forward plans
to secure greater clean energy independence in the UK.
This includes innovations to boost energy efficiency in people’s
homes and develop green transport - as well as sourcing cleaner
ways to generate power and heat in the UK.
Funding is expected to support between 15 and 20 projects across
the country. Successful projects could create hundreds of green
jobs and kickstart millions-of-pounds-worth of private sector
investment across the UK.
Energy Minister said:
Our innovation has made the UK a green energy world leader and we
are unleashing that now to help us further secure greater clean
energy independence.
The Energy Entrepreneurs Fund is backing the next generation of
inventors and innovators to drive forward cheap and reliable
low-carbon technologies, create jobs and reduce our reliance on
expensive fossil fuels.
Since 2012, the government’s Energy Entrepreneurs Fund has
awarded more than £100 million worth of grants, supported 214
projects and leveraged more than £500 million in private
investment – a figure that is still growing.
Previous recipients of funding include Edinburgh-based Nova
Innovation who are developing a next generation solution for
slashing the costs of deploying and operating tidal stream
energy, while Woodrow Scientific of Hampshire received funding to
develop an innovative cleaning method that aims to increase the
efficiency of wind turbines.
Energy Transitions in Cardiff received funding to develop the
Steel Zero system, which integrates solar energy technology
within stainless steel cladding panels, so a building’s entire
façade can produce clean and efficient heat and Belfast-based
Senergy Innovations has been able to use funding to develop solar
power technology using innovative materials, meaning panels can
be manufactured and installed at a lower cost.
Unique to this ninth round of the scheme is £1 million of the £10
million funding that has been earmarked for innovative energy
projects in Cornwall. This follows on from an announcement by the Prime
Minister last year for innovation funding to mark Cornwall’s
role in playing host to the G7 Summit.
To be eligible for this earmarked funding, at least 75% of a
project’s activities must take place in the geographical boundary
of the county of Cornwall.
The government is also today announcing £7 million in funding for
14 energy efficiency and decarbonisation projects across England
and Wales in the final part of the Industrial Energy
Transformation Fund’s (IETF) Phase 1
competition window. Projects will help organisations improve
their energy efficiency, reduce energy bills and cut carbon
emissions.
Winners include Phillips 66, who will be using funding to
electrify their Humberside refinery, while Sheffield Forgemasters
will fund a project to decarbonise the production of large-scale
forgings and castings at its Sheffield steelworks and Rockwool
will install a system to substantially reduce carbon emissions at
its site in Bridgend, South Wales.
Notes for editors
