What was the announcement?
On 20th May 2024 the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (via Salix Finance) announced that the public sector can now bid for Phase 5 of the Public Sector Low Carbon Skills Fund to develop heat decarbonisation plans for their estates.
A funding of £16 million is available.
What is the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme?
The PSDS was launched in October 2020 to help the public sector develop decarbonisation plans and delivery energy efficiency works. Several rounds of PSDS were launched since. Phase 4 PSDS will follow imminently.
Read our briefing on the PSDS HERE
What is the Public Sector Low Carbon Skills Fund?
The Public Sector Low Carbon Skills Fund will provide grants to help all eligible public sector bodies to source specialist and expert advice to identify and develop energy efficiency and low carbon heat upgrade projects for non-domestic buildings.
The focus of the fund is to support organisations who are planning to replace aging heating systems to move these to low carbon alternatives.
How is this different to previous PSDS and LCSF and other Salix funds?
This is for funding advice to develop energy strategies and decarbonisation plans for heating systems.
It is not funding for capital works such as LED lighting and Solar PV Panels.
Unlike previous Salix funds such as SEEF the scheme is grant funding not a loan.
Previous PSDS/LCSF applicants can reapply subject to certain restrictions.
What are the timescales?
As usual, application timescales are very tight.
The application portal opened on 17 April and will close on 1 May 2024.
What do I do next?
Request a call to discuss your LCSF bid.
Watch our webinar to learn more about the application process and how we can support you in securing funding for your projects.
Download the Barker Energy360 Brochure here