Ofgem collects voluntary payments from companies that may have breached Ofgem administered rules. We manage the allocation of payments for the scheme, which has been in place for six years.
The scheme prioritises support for vulnerable energy consumers, the development of innovative products or services and the empowerment of consumers to reduce their carbon emissions.
The funding streams available are:
- The Main Fund – aimed at projects seeking grants between £50,000 and £1.5 million that will support households in vulnerable situations.
- The Small Project Fund – aimed at projects seeking grants between £20,000 and £49,999 that will support households in vulnerable situations.
- The Innovation Fund – aimed at projects that will develop innovative products or services to benefit households. Available for grants between £20,000 and £750,000.
- The Carbon Emissions Reduction Fund – aimed at projects that will reduce UK carbon emissions and empower households to reduce their carbon footprint. Available for grants between £20,000 and £750,000.
Funded projects have included:
- Impartial energy advice services supporting vulnerable people.
- Digital media to engage hard-to-reach audiences with energy issues and the support that is available to them.
- Research projects aimed at making sure that the needs of elderly people and disabled people are met by new energy technologies.
- Boosting the uptake of whole house retrofits.
- Trialing new business models or interventions to allow households to use more locally generated energy.