Mayor launches £3.95 million energy accelerator

A new £3.95 million programme aims to cut energy bills and unlock green investment by helping North East communities bring local clean energy projects to life.

North East mayor Kim McGuinness has launched the North East Energy Accelerator, which will support community-led projects over the next three years.

The programme is designed to help turn ideas, including community-owned renewable energy schemes, into viable projects capable of attracting investment and delivering long-term local benefits.

It includes a £2 million fund to give local projects access to specialist technical, legal and commercial expertise, alongside an £800,000 capital fund for community-focused clean energy schemes and training and support for people developing new projects.

By helping communities generate more of their own clean energy, the initiative aims to reduce exposure to volatile energy prices while keeping more money within the regional economy.

The accelerator will work with partners including Great British Energy and the North East and North Yorkshire Net Zero Hub to bring projects forward.

Mayor McGuinness said: “We know the pressure that high energy bills put on household budgets but also the pressure they put on community organisations and local services.

“This programme will allow communities to take greater control of their energy future. 

“By backing local clean energy projects, we can keep more money in local communities, reduce energy costs and create benefits that stay in our towns and villages.

“The North East is already leading the UK’s green energy revolution. 

“We have the skills, ambition and industrial strength to play a major role in the country's clean energy future.

“By helping more projects get off the ground, we can create good jobs, bring investment into our region and make sure local people share in the benefits.”

Dozens of schemes are expected to receive support, creating opportunities for North East businesses, strengthening regional supply chains and increasing clean energy generation.

Running until 2029, the programme forms part of wider ambitions to grow the North East’s green energy economy while ensuring local communities share in the benefits.

Dozens of schemes are expected to receive support, with the programme also aiming to create opportunities for North East businesses, strengthen regional supply chains and increase clean energy generation.

The Energy Accelerator will run until 2029 and forms part of wider ambitions to grow the North East’s green energy economy while ensuring communities share in the benefits of new investment.

The programme follows continued efforts to position the region as a hub for clean energy development and create economic opportunities from the transition to greener power.

Want your business, product or service to be seen regionally and nationally? Bdaily helps you get your story in front of the right audience, every day. Find out how Bdaily can help →

Join more than 55,000 subscribers by signing up to our daily bulletin each morning here.