Energy projects could get a slice of £2m fund

Published Date: 17 August 2009
Community groups in Portsmouth needing cash for energy projects can apply for a share of a £2m fund. It is part of the nationwide British Gas Green Streets campaign.

Portsmouth's carbon footprint is approximately 1,277,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually. To avoid the most damaging impacts of climate change, the city needs to cut its carbon emissions by 60 per cent by 2050.

Any community group with a focus on local renewable energy projects or energy efficiency improvements for community and domestic buildings can apply. This can range from solar, wind, or hydro power to biomass, ground-source and air source heat pumps.

Gearóid Lane, the managing director of British Gas New Energy, said: 'We want to show groups the carbon and financial savings they could enjoy by providing the funding, support and technical expertise needed to develop and implement their ideas.'

Projects will be judged according to their potential for energy efficiency savings across the entire community, on local renewable power generation and ability to engage an entire community through education in local schools and by mobilising the support of other local residents.

A shortlist of the best projects will be asked to pitch for funding in front of an expert judging panel, before being whittled down to a final dozen that will receive a share of the £2m funding pot.

Their progress will be monitored by the independent Institute of Public Policy Research think-tank, and the project crowned Britain's greenest community after a year stands to win a further £100,000 in funding from British Gas.

Applications should be made online by August 31 by visiting britishgas.co.uk/greenstreets.

Published by: The News - portsmouth.co.uk