Project Planning and Feasibility Support

Project planning and feasibility support is closed for applications.

We will provide project support to enable eligible communities to take their Net Zero project plans to the next level. Our experts will help guide the eligible communities through the feasibility assessment process to support them gather data, assess viability, and develop formal project plans.

We are looking for communities or organisations that meet our criteria to come forward to apply for support. Our experts will conduct a gap analysis, to identify any parts of the project plans that are missing or needing additional work. To do this, they will review the following elements:

Project delivery plan
Budget
Technical specifications for the net zero project*
Legal and planning requirements
Risk assessment

To move your project forward and one step nearer to getting up and running, after conducting a gap analysis, our fund administrator, the Energy Saving Trust, will provide guidance on how to fill the gaps identified in your plan and any additional technical support *(where applicable).

*Technical specifications will vary significantly by project. Further guidance on what is expected will be provided on an individual basis to community groups during the selection process

Project planning and feasibility support is closed for applications.

Who can apply?

Location

Organisations, and the activities supported through the fund, must be based or operate within the SP Energy Networks Transmission area in Scotland. The fund will prioritise projects that are located within or adjacent to areas highlighted on this map which are areas that we anticipate will be key to unlocking Net Zero.

Eligible organisations

Applicants must be constituted non-profit-distributing community focused organisations, including organisations with charitable status and other not for profit organisations.
Eligible groups are:
- Community Interest Companies
- Community Benefit Societies
- Cooperative Societies
- Development Trusts
- OSCR Registered charities
- Community Transport Organisations
- Other constituted not-for-profit organisations
- Local authorities - depending on the service provided which must have a social benefit.

Eligible projects

All community plans and projects supported through the fund must:

Demonstrate a strong link to the energy sector
Focus on net zero measures which principally save carbon and provide cost reductions
Support consumers and communities in vulnerable situations. Please see our definition of vulnerability.
Deliver social benefits for the communities they serve. Please see our definition of social return on investment.

We anticipate that projects supported by the Fund will fall within one of the following categories:

Energy efficiency capital improvements in buildings, with a focus on domestic or community owned buildings
Low and zero emission renewable heating systems and micro- to small-scale renewable power generation (where that power is predominantly designed for use on site), with a focus on domestic or community owned buildings
Electric vehicle transport and infrastructure
Net Zero skills development – only as an addendum to a project focusing on the above three categories.

View examples of eligible project activities.

How to apply

Applicants must complete the expression of interest form in order to receive feasibility support.
Expressions of interest for the second round of project planning and feasibility support are closed.