Grants & Funding.

There are various funding streams available when considering the installation of a wind turbine. We would always advise you to seek information from the grant scheme helplines listed below or your local enterprise company so that you may take advantage of funding and advice that may be available in your area.

Wind Turbine funding for Domestic Customers and Community Groups in the UK

There are two major schemes that apply and run on roughly the same lines which offer grants for communities and householders. There are some differences between the schemes in Scotland and the rest of the UK both schemes offer useful advice on how to get started:

If you live in Scotland the relevant information can be found at http://www.est.org.uk/schri and is known as the Scottish Community and Household Renewable Initiative - run by the EST (Energy Savings Trust) on behalf of the Scottish Executive.  Scotland may also benefit from the alternative Low Carbon Buildings Programme as detailed below.  

• 30% grant for householders with maximum grant set at £4,000.
• Up to 100% funding (in exceptional circumstances) for non-profit community groups.
• Up to £10,000 for feasibility studies.
• An accredited supplier must supply and install approved equipment – Bryan J. Rendall Electrical Ltd are FULLY accredited
•  Not allowed to be used in tandem with other government funding (reason given is efficiency of government spending).

Scotland SCHRI Helpline– tel: 0800 138 88 58 - www.est.org.uk/schri

If you live in Scotland, England, Wales or Northern Ireland information is at http://www.lowcarbonbuildings.org/ and is known as the Low Carbon Buildings Programme - run by the EST (Energy Saving Trust) on behalf of the DTI.

•  Grant of £1,000 per kW of wind turbine capacity installed up to a maximum of £5,000.
• Tied in with other energy saving measures to reduce the buildings total carbon footprint.
• 50% funding for non-profit community groups with funding capped at £100,000.
•  An accredited supplier must supply and install approved equipment – Bryan J. Rendall are FULLY accredited.

• Not allowed to be used in tandem with other government funding (reason given is efficiency of government spending).

Free UK-wide Helpline - tel: 0800 915 0990 - www.lowcarbonbuildings.org

Funding for Non – Profit Organizations, Communities, Educational Centres, Schools and Visitor Centres

The Green Energy Trust is available via Scottish Power to projects anywhere in the UK. Application forms and further details are available from Claire Doherty (Scottish Power): mailto:claire.doherty@scottishpower.com or Tel 0141 568 4615

• Up to 50% available.
•  Educational and high visibility projects within the community are given priority.
• Award meetings three times a year: typically April, September & December – applications have to be returned 7-weeks prior to award meetings.

The HIGHLANDS AND ISLANDS COMMUNITY ENERGY COMPANY IS a 'non-profit' distributing company with a voluntary board of directors appointed for their specialist knowledge and involvement in renewable energy and community development in the Highlands and Islands area of Scotland.  They provide free advice, grant funding and finance for renewable energy projects developed by community groups to benefit their community. This extends to non-profit distributing organisations such as social enterprises and housing associations.  More details are available on www.hie.co.uk/community-energy.html 

LEADER PLUS or  LEADER+ is a European Community Initiative for assisting rural communities in improving the quality of life and economic prosperity in their local area. Twenty five areas in England benefit from the funding. Further information is available on www.defra.gov.uk/rural/leader.

LEADER PLUS  IN SCOTLAND  link to http://www.wisl.org.uk/leader-plus-scotland.html

Interest Free Loans For Companies

Loan Action Scotland provides loans from £5,000 to £50,000 at 0% fixed interest. These loans attract no interest or arrangement charges so, what you borrow is what you repay. Loan Action Scotland loans can be repaid over a period of up to five years with the aim of being 'capital neutral' - the savings from the new energy saving equipment will help cover the cost of repayments.

Funded by the Scottish Executive, the scheme is managed by The Energy Savings Trust and aims to support companies taking action to reduce their energy bills. http://www.est.co.uk/

Funding for Farmers In England

DEFRA - Rural Enterprise Scheme and the Objective 1 Programme in appropriate areas of England. Assistance is only available for schemes that form part of the development and improvement of an agricultural business. Details are available from the Defra website on www.defra.gov.uk/erdp/schemes/res and www.defra.gov.uk/rural/structure respectively.

Funding for Farmers In Scotland

Agricultural Business Development Scheme

The Agricultural Business Development Scheme (ABDS) is a business development scheme for farmers/crofters and their immediate families. It operates under the Highlands and Islands Special Transitional Programme within the legal framework of the Rural Development Regulation. It is a discretionary and competitive scheme.

Legal occupiers of agricultural units within the Highlands and Islands Special Transitional Programme Area, who have been actively engaged in agriculture for a minimum of two years, are eligible to apply to the scheme for both investments in agricultural holdings and diversification projects.

Advice and details about the Scheme are available from SEERAD Area Offices or from the Scheme Co-ordinator based at Longman House, 28 Longman Road, Inverness IV1 1SF (Tel: 01463 253065)

Crofting Counties Agricultural Grants (Scotland) Scheme (CCAGS)

This may in some circumstances apply to small wind energy projects. Grants covering a wide range of agricultural activities are available to the following persons in the former Crofting Counties:

• Tenants and legal sub-tenants of crofts, and owners occupying unlet crofts who are of the same economic status as crofters;
• Common Grazings Committees and Grazings Constables where all the work relates to the Common Grazings;
• Occupiers of holdings other than crofts, the area of which does not substantially exceed 30 hectares (excluding common pasture) or where the annual rent would not substantially exceed £100 if the holding were let as a croft. In addition, the occupier must be of the same economic status as a crofter.

Information about these grants can be obtained from the Crofters Commission, 4-6 Castle Wynd, Inverness, IV2 3EQ, Tel: 01463-663450 or from your local SEERAD Area Office or visit www.crofterscommission.org.uk