Energy entrepreneurs who come up with innovative ways to reduce the UK’s reliance on expensive fossil fuels have the opportunity to turn their plans and ideas into reality, thanks to £10million in government funding.

The ninth round of the Energy Entrepreneurs Fund (FAIRY), which aims to promote new clean technologies across all sectors of the UK economy, is open for applications as the government pushes forward plans to secure greater clean energy independence in the UK.

This includes innovations to boost energy efficiency in homes and develop green transport – as well as finding cleaner ways to generate electricity and heat in the UK.

The funding is expected to support between 15 and 20 projects across the country. Successful projects could create hundreds of green jobs and jump-start millions of pounds of private sector investment across the UK.

Energy Minister Greg Hands said:

Our innovation has made the UK a world leader in green energy and now we are unleashing it to help us secure greater clean energy independence.

The Energy Entrepreneurs Fund supports the next generation of inventors and innovators to advance reliable and inexpensive low-carbon technologies, create jobs and reduce our dependence on expensive fossil fuels.

Since 2012, the government’s Energy Entrepreneurs Fund has awarded over £100m in grants, supported 214 projects and mobilized over £500m in private investment – a figure that is growing.

Previous recipients of the funding include Edinburgh-based Nova Innovation, which is developing a next-generation solution to reduce the cost of deploying and operating tidal power, while Hampshire’s Woodrow Scientific has received funding to develop a method innovative cleaning that aims to increase the efficiency of wind turbines.

Energy Transitions in Cardiff has received funding to develop the Steel Zero system, which integrates solar power technology into stainless steel cladding panels, so the entire facade of a building can produce clean and efficient heat and Belfast-based Senergy Innovations was able to use the funding to develop solar power technology using innovative materials, allowing panels to be manufactured and installed at lower cost.

Unique to this ninth cycle of the scheme, £1m of the £10m in funding has been earmarked for innovative energy projects in Cornwall. This follows the Prime Minister’s announcement of innovation funding last year to highlight Cornwall’s role in hosting the G7 Summit.

To be eligible for this earmarked funding, at least 75% of a project’s activities must take place within the geographic boundaries of Cornwall County.

The government is also today announcing £7 million in funding for 14 energy efficiency and decarbonisation projects in England and Wales as part of the latest part of the Industrial Energy Transformation Fund (IETF) Phase 1 competition window. Projects will help organizations improve energy efficiency, reduce energy bills and reduce carbon emissions.

Winners include Phillips 66, which will use funds to electrify their Humberside refinery, while Sheffield Forgemasters will fund a project to decarbonise large-scale forging and casting production at its Sheffield steelworks and Rockwool will install a system to dramatically reduce carbon emissions at its site in Bridgend, South Wales.

Notes for Editors