Sheffield Renewables was successful in its application to the Local Energy Assessment Fund (LEAF). The fund which is backed by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) aims to support communities across England and Wales to play an active role in the development of a low carbon society where energy supply is both secure and affordable.

The LEAF programme is clearly intended to benefit the community sector in its efforts to grasp existing and upcoming opportunities provided by the Green Deal, Renewable Heat Incentive and Feed-In Tariff, all of which encourage organisations to use their own initiative to develop sustainable energy schemes that mitigate against climate change.

Ed Davey, Secretary of State for DECC said of the scheme:  “These grants are designed to nurture the ideas and enthusiasm of communities up and down the country who want to cut energy use, cut emissions and save money.”

Despite the LEAF funding receiving a phenomenal amount of interest from groups across the country, Sheffield Renewables managed to secure £7,000 that will help support:

• The development of the Sheffield Renewables Business Plan
• The completion of the Jordan Dam Business Case
• Preparation of the Sheffield Renewables Share Offer
• Funding towards Project Manager costs to help move forward Jordan Dam Hydro.

You can keep up to date on these developments via the Sheffield Renewables website or by signing up as a supporter to receive the Sheffield Renewables Newsletter.