Cheshire & Warrington opens £4.1m energy grant fund

Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has launched a £4.1m Energy Fund, awarding capital grants for projects that can support the objectives of the LEP’s Energy and Clean Growth Strategy.

The strategy sets out longer term aspirations to support Cheshire and Warrington’s position as a leading European centre for low carbon and energy technologies, with an ambition to create the country’s first smart, connected net zero-carbon industrial cluster, harnessing expertise and opportunity within the hydrogen, nuclear and other low carbon economies.

The LEP was awarded £4.1m as part of the Local Growth Fund (LGF), with the LEP now inviting applications for capital grant funding.

The minimum bid for funding is £250,000 and applications must be submitted before August 16.

Split between industrial clusters, nuclear sector development and low carbon futures, it will address projects that are strategic and scalable, that will help to reduce carbon emissions, improve profitability of businesses and that are able to secure significant private sector contribution, are encouraged to submit an application.

Minister for the Northern Powerhouse and Local Growth, Jake Berry, said: “We’re committed to supporting economic growth across the Northern Powerhouse and rebalancing the economy so that it works for everyone.

“That is why I welcome the £4.1m award from the Local Growth Fund to Cheshire and Warrington LEP, which will further their ambition to fund businesses and projects to make the region a leading international centre for low carbon and energy technologies, and a key asset of the Northern Powerhouse.”

Christine Gaskell, chair of Cheshire and Warrington LEP, said: “The LEP is committed to building a £50bn economy, with energy and clean growth at the heart of our emerging Local Industrial Strategy to ensure as a region we fully exploit the significant expertise and industrial strength that exists here.

“Securing £4.1m – which will be wholly allocated to supporting the industry through capital grant funding – in order to build infrastructure, increase skills levels and accelerate innovation, secures a real opportunity up on which to further build our position as a centre of excellence, and be at the forefront of next generation innovation in the sector.”