Smart Energy GB in communities fund invites applications

Smart Energy GB, the voice of the national smart meter rollout, is inviting charities and other community organisations to apply for small grants from the Smart Energy GB in Communities fund. From 12^th June, a total of £255,000 will be available to organisations which can help Smart Energy GB reach people over the age of 65, who have no access to the internet, with information about smart meters and how to use them in the home.

Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) will administer the fund. Grants of up to £5,000 per organisation will be available so that those aged over 65, with no internet access, receive the information that they need about smart meters and the benefits that they can bring.

Alongside the fund, Smart Energy GB’s online resource centre continues to offer materials, including posters, leaflets and training resources, free of charge to any organisation which can help people benefit from smart meters.

Today’s announcement is part of the Smart Energy GB in Communities programme, which is delivered by a consortium of charities - National Energy Action, Energy Action Scotland and Charities Aid Foundation (CAF).

Smart meters mean an end to estimated energy bills and come with an in-home display that shows the cost of your household energy use in pounds and pence. They are installed by energy suppliers at no additional cost to consumers.

Sacha Deshmukh, Chief Executive of Smart Energy GB, said:

“The Smart Energy GB in Communities fund will enable organisations in communities right around Britain to play an important role within our national campaign to reach every household in Britain.

“Working with trusted, grassroots organisations enhances the work we do through our national campaign and will help to ensure that people who are over 65 and have no access to the internet, and may need additional support, understand and are able to benefit from smart meters.”

 

-ENDS-

 

Notes to editors 

Applications for funding from the Smart Energy GB in Communities Fund will be accepted from 12 June until 19 July 2017.

About Smart Energy GB

Smart Energy GB is the voice of the smart meter rollout. It’s our task to help everyone in Great Britain understand smart meters, the national rollout and how to use their new meters to get their gas and electricity under control. Our national campaign is reaching households and microbusinesses in England, Scotland and Wales. For more information visit our website smartenergyGB.org

About smart meters and the rollout

Smart meters replace the traditional meters we currently have in our homes. They enable accurate bills, near real time information on energy use in pounds and pence, and greater control over the way we buy and use energy. The smart meter rollout is an essential technology upgrade, unprecedented in its scale, to improve Great Britain’s energy infrastructure.

 

Nearly 7 million smart meters have already been installed in homes and microbusinesses, and between now and 2020 every household in England, Scotland and Wales will be offered one at no additional cost. Contact your energy supplier today about installing your smart meter.

Smart Energy GB media contacts

 

For more information including interview requests, case studies of smart meter users, infographics, photography and video content please contact the Smart Energy GB media team:

Smart Energy GB:

Stephen Shawcross: [email protected] or 07739 659 895