- Ofgem’s Energy Redress Scheme supports projects that make a difference for energy customers in vulnerable situations and contribute to a cleaner energy future.
- Registered charities, community interest companies, co-operative societies and community benefit societies can apply for funding through the scheme.
- In Greater Manchester, we’ve allocated over £5 million to projects that have helped residents save energy and money and create warmer, more energy efficient homes.
Key points
Background
The Energy Redress Scheme was launched in 2018 to distribute funds from Ofgem’s enforcement and compliance activity. These funds support projects across Great Britain that help vulnerable households heat and power their homes. The scheme also funds innovative energy projects that help reduce carbon emissions.
Funding is available to registered charities, community interest companies, co-operative societies and community benefit societies. Eligible organisations can apply for support to deliver energy related projects that meet the scheme’s priorities and benefit communities across England, Scotland and Wales.
We were appointed by Ofgem to distribute these funds in 2018 and continue to manage the scheme today.
Results
We’ve supported 22 projects worth £5 million in Greater Manchester through the Energy Redress Scheme. This has helped residents to save energy and money, reduce fuel poverty and create warmer, more energy efficient homes.
Projects
Healthy Homes, Healthier Lives GM
Delivered by Citizens Advice SORT Group, the project received £436,550 to create an energy advice service for Greater Manchester residents living with health conditions. The project will also train health professionals and implement an SMS referral platform to create a more integrated support system.
Caritas Energy Advice Service (Greater Manchester)
Delivered by Caritas Diocese of Salford, the project received £228,935 to provide in-depth energy advice to residents already engaged with the charity’s wider work. Through this project, the team has supported households to better manage their energy use and improve financial stability. Part of this included challenging inaccurate debt balances, resulting in total debt savings of £39,196.
An additional £249,658 was awarded in a later funding round, to build on the successful delivery of the project.
Retrofit for All: People Centred Retrofit
Delivered by The Society for the Reduction of Carbon Ltd, the project received £196,417. Working with a partnership of Manchester housing providers, the project focused on developing solutions that would put householders’ needs and priorities at the centre of public retrofit programme delivery. As a result, they updated their ‘Retrofit for All Toolkit’ with learnings and developed a consultancy service for providers seeking further support.
Delivered by Citizens Advice SORT Group, the project received £188,474 to support an in-principle agreement with Google Nest for a research programme in Greater Manchester. The proposal includes discounting Nest Thermostat E by £100 to £99.99 and product training for Citizens Advice staff and volunteers. Nest estimates the average user will save between 8.4% to 16.5% on their energy bills.
Switched On – Young People’s Energy Advice
Delivered by Citizens Advice Manchester, the project received £89,200 to develop a toolkit on how to encourage, engage and promote positive behaviours around energy for young people experiencing fuel poverty.
Applying to the Energy Redress Scheme’s Innovation Fund has always felt straightforward, with clear guidance and a team that really backs ambitious ideas for tackling rising energy costs. Switch to Smart gave free smart thermostats to over 200 homes across Greater Manchester, backed by a dedicated energy advice team. Google supported us with discounted hardware and a pop-up event in Trafford. In total, 2,500 people received energy advice, and households saved around £200,000 on their bills, with a further £173,000 in wider financial gains. The University of Huddersfield’s evaluation found 86% of households felt more comfortable at home, and the same proportion became more conscious of their energy habits. For families struggling with high costs, that mix of technology and advice made a real difference.
Head of Innovation, Citizens Advice SORT
Looking to turn energy saving ambition into action?
Speak to us today about how we can help you engage residents, deliver retrofit at scale, and connect households with funding and support.