Regen is working with National Grid Electricity Distribution on an innovation project focused on the decarbonisation of rural areas in the South West, South Wales and the Midlands. REACH: Rural Energy and Community Heat. The project has been funded by network users and consumers under the Strategic Innovation Fund, an Ofgem programme managed in partnership with UKRI.
REACH is an ‘Innovation project’ from National Grid looking at how rural areas (villages and hamlets) can accelerate their decarbonisation plans where the network capacity might be limited in their area. REACH is looking for rural community groups such as parish, town and district councils that might be interested in taking part. The initial phase is about exploring the concept and understanding the ambitions of rural communities.
The goal is to find 5-10 rural communities to work with over the next 2 months to explore barriers and co-create innovative approaches for meeting the local area’s decarbonisation ambitions. These projects could then be taken forward into a second round of project funding to support feasibility studies.
If your organisation represents a rural community that is interested in developing low carbon projects, including renewable generation, EV charging, energy storage, or low carbon heat, then we want to hear from you!
What you need to do now if you are interested in taking part:
- Submit an online expression of interest form before midday on 19 March – https://forms.gle/PKZuaEj3V8Zywn4d6
- Sign up to the workshop on 26 March – https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0vduiorjktGtYgqgk_seS_En9vOLBGigcK
If you have any questions, please contact George Middlemiss by emailing gmiddlemiss@regen.co.uk
Please note – Councils can submit an expression of interest as no decision being taken. Clerks may agenda for next meeting.