17 October 2024
Windmill Hill City Farm awarded Bristol City Leap funding to explore heat network connection
Windmill Hill City Farm has been awarded a grant from the Bristol City Leap’s Community Energy Fund to go towards funding its feasibility study to join the Bedminster heat network.
Windmill Hill City Farm is one of 15 projects to have been awarded funding from the second round of the £1.5 million Community Energy Fund, which has been created through contributions of £750,000 each from Ameresco and Vattenfall.
The grant will allow Windmill Hill City Farm to explore the opportunity of disconnecting up to six of its gas boilers heating buildings on site to help reduce its carbon footprint.
Isabel Kearney, Fundraising Manager at Windmill Hill City Farm, said: “We are working with Vattenfall to create a heat network educational tool so the community can learn about how it works and the role it will play for Bristol as we all take action on climate change.”
The Third Round of Funding is Now Open
Bristol City Leap have announced that the third round of Community Energy Fund applications is open.
Bristol City Leap has £1.5 million to support local community organisations to deliver energy projects over the next five years through grants of between £1,000 and £50,000 and 0% interest loans.
Bristol City Leap Community Energy Fund sits against a backdrop of the cost of living crisis, rising energy costs, and Bristol’s collective efforts to become a carbon neutral city by 2030. For Bristol to meet its net zero goals, the city needs to reduce its energy demand, make its buildings more energy efficient and increase renewable energy generation and sourcing.
With the help of Bristol City Leap Community Energy Fund, community organisations can explore ideas and carry out feasibility work, options analysis and business case modelling to develop projects that will contribute to the decarbonisation of Bristol.
Local organisations, such as charities, social enterprises and community energy groups play a vital role in making this happen.
