What is energy resilience?
An energy-resilient community is ready for whatever happens, today and tomorrow. It has a plan to keep people safe during emergencies, like storms or power cuts. It also works smart to save energy, use it wisely, and prepare for future changes.
Complete your eligibility quiz and start the process today!
Enhancing Resilience Grant
Support for Community Energy Resilience Projects
We’re offering grants of up to £20,000 to help community organisations strengthen their energy resilience.
Projects can include energy generation and backup solutions and may also include small energy efficiency improvements, as long as these support a wider community resilience plan.
For this round, we’re especially keen to support projects that help communities stay open, providing a safe and supported space to the wider community during emergencies such as storms or long-duration power cuts.
What kind of projects we fund
Your project could include (but is not limited to):
Energy resilience measures
- Installing solar panels with battery storage
- Installing backup generators
- Creating safe, reliable community hubs that can stay open during power cuts or severe weather
- Installing hook-up points for emergency use
Small Energy efficiency improvements (as a small part of a wider resilience project)
- Draughtproofing and minor insulation
- LED lighting
- Efficient heating controls
Who Can Apply?
You may be eligible if your project:
Meets our location and community criteria
- Is based within Northern Powergrid’s operating area of Northeast of England, Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire.
- Shows a clear community need for energy resilience and the willingness to open to the wider community during an emergency or powercut
- Delivers a tangible benefit to the wider community
Meets our organisation requirements
Your organisation must:
- Have an annual income under £500,000
- Have been operating for at least one year and is able to provide your latest annual accounts
Includes appropriate quotes
- Two detailed quotes for all works
Any renewable energy works, including Solar PV and Battery Storage installations, must include quotations from installers who hold the relevant MCS accreditation for all elements of the proposed work.Check your installers accreditation(s) here MCS-registered installers
What we don't fund
Northern Powergrid Foundation will not normally fund project activity that goes against its key priorities, but may occasionally award grants outside of this criteria.
Application Process
How to apply?
Start by reading our Applicant Toolkit and Grant Making Policy for full details.
1. Visit Our Online Applicant Portal
Log in or Create an account - tell us about you and your organisation
2. Complete the eligibility quiz (Instant results given)
3. Submit your Expression of Interest (EOI) if eligible.
- We’ll respond within 14 working days with the outcome.
Draft EOIs remain in the system for 4 weeks before being removed.
4. Submit a Full Application through the portal (Only available once your EOI is approved.)
Before submitting, you should speak to installers and get your personalised quotes. Installer guidance is available in our documents section along with other supporting documents.
Your full application must include:
- Latest financial accounts
- Safeguarding policies
- Details of match funding
- 2 Comprehensive Quotes
- Full answers to every question
- Details a clear mobilisation plan in the event of an emergency or long duration powercut.
Please note: Incomplete applications cannot be assessed.
How Decisions Are Made
- Applications are reviewed during assessment windows
- Projects are scored against our clear criteria
- Recommendations go to our Trustees
- You’ll be notified via email and the portal of the outcome
Please note: We want to fund projects across all our regions, so in areas where we receive lots of applications, we will prioritise those that best match our programme aims.
If Your Application Is Successful
You will:
- Receive grant Terms & Conditions to sign
- Receive your funding by cheque
- Begin delivering your project
- Submit quarterly progress updates via the portal
- Complete a final Project Completion Report
Our Energy Resilience Beneficiary Map
Find Your Nearest Foundation-Funded Project
Use the interactive map to explore projects funded by Northern Powergrid Foundation in your area.