Shrewsbury businessman and green energy pioneer Andy Boroughs, who was instrumental in introducing low carbon heating technology to the UK, said up to 100 projects across the country could benefit from the fund.
Run by the Energy Saving Trust, the Government-funded competition is open to applications from voluntary groups, social enterprises and community-based organisations.
Mr Boroughs’ company, Organic Energy, has completed a series of ultra-low carbon wood pellet boiler installations in the UK, which have not only slashed fuel bills for community groups and social landlords, but also seen some groups receive cashback through incentive payments available for green energy projects.
He said: “A community boiler installation provides heat for a number of properties with heating costs per house or building reduced as well as greater efficiencies.
“The Renewable Heat Premium Payment Community Scheme is an £8 million fund which will help communities and organisations upgrade their heating system to a renewable energy source.
“The scheme is targeted at making renewable heating affordable, with eligible installations also able to apply for the non-domestic Renewable Heat Incentive which lowers the cost even further.â€
One of Organic Energy’s installations in Scotland has seen a town hall once earmarked for closure, cut its bills by £2,000 a year.
The community organisation behind Lossiemouth Town Hall, in Moray, installed an ÖkoFEN wood pellet boiler system which provides heat not only to the hall but also to the adjoining library, youth cafe and meeting rooms. Organic Energy installed an Energy Box as a store for the wood pellets with two boilers housed inside the building in the plant room.
It also recently completed an Energy Box installation for Caledonia Housing Association with three boilers providing heating to three blocks of flats in Inverness.
Other recent community and social housing projects by Organic Energy has seen a tandem boiler system installed by Lincolnshire Housing Association to supply 12 homes in Manby, Lincolnshire; a heating system for Thirlemere Recreation Hall in Kesiwck and at Chedworth Village Hall in Cirencester.
Community groups will need to submit a first stage application to the Energy Saving Trust by September 7 2012. for further information and to apply visit, http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk
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