Call for Applications – Social Housing Net Zero Heat Fund 2022 (United Kingdom)

Deadline: 28-Feb-22

The Scottish Government has announced Social Housing Net Zero Heat Fund (SHNZHF) 2022, to support social landlords across Scotland to install zero emissions heating systems and energy efficiency measures across their existing stock.

Themes

• Theme 1 – zero emissions heating systems for social housing across Scotlan: Focuses on supporting the development of projects that can deliver innovative technologies and integrated zero emission heating systems that deliver reliable, affordable heat to social housing in all parts of Scotland.  These projects can also contain energy efficiency upgrades to maximise the efficiency of the new technology being installed.
  • The following technologies are eligible for funding:
    • Air source heat pumps
    • Ground source heat pumps
    • Water source heat pumps
    • Biomass boilers
    • Connection to existing heat networks
    • High heat retention storage heaters. These will only be considered eligible in conjunction with solar panels, battery storage or another source of renewable electricity generation. Projects that connect directly to the grid will not be considered eligible.
  • The following technologies can be considered in conjunction with zero emission heat solutions:
    • Solar panels
    • Battery storage
    • Thermal storage.
• Theme 2 – “Fabric First” energy efficiency only projects: To support the development of projects that are focusing on installing energy efficiency measures within social housing. Their established fabric first approach is critical to the transition, reducing demand for energy, making homes warmer and easier to hear, and preparing them for zero emissions technologies. This must be with the aim of:
  • Supporting the sector to reduce energy demand within their housing stock
  • Ensure that poor energy efficiency is no longer a driver of fuel poverty.
  • Support the future roll out of zero emission heat technologies.

Funding Information

• The funding invitation for 2022 has a minimum allocation of £30 million to support social housing landlords across Scotland to install zero emission heating systems and energy efficiency measures It is for social housing projects across Scotland that effectively contribute towards the achievement of their ambitions for Scotland to achieve net zero emissions by 2045. The funding invitation is for the retrofit or refurbishment of existing housing stock and is not for new build social housing.
• There is a limit to the amount of funding offered to each project :
  • Total capital funding available to projects from Social Housing Net Zero Heat Fund (SHNZHF) is up to £10 million for a single project. Projects must provide a minimum of 50% match funding.
  • 50% is the maximum intervention rate that will be considered for all projects under this invitation. Where applicants or project types have previously received SHNZHF support, lower intervention rates may be considered.

Eligibility Criteria

• Applications are welcome from social housing projects that deliver zero emissions heating systems heat provision.
•  They must have a:
  • Project location
  • Proof of technology concept
  • End user for output identified and secured at time of submitting an application.
• Applications from registered social landlords, local authorities and ESCOs will be considered.
• The Social Housing Net Zero Heat Fund is an outcomes and results-driven infrastructure investment programme so projects must meet the following mandatory criteria:
  • The ability to meet at least one of the funding invitation priority themes
  • The potential to deliver a significant reduction of greenhouse gas emissions (MtCO2e) and energy consumption
  • The ability to secure other sources of funding/finance that make a minimum of 50% contribution towards the cost of final delivery costs of the project
  • The potential to have a positive and significant social impact on Scotland
  • The ability to deliver zero emissions heating systems and energy efficiency measures that can provide savings for social housing tenants
  • The provision of a clearly set out case for the requirement of and value added from grant support
• Applicants will be required to provide information on previous or planned energy efficiency work undertaken. Furthermore, projects will be required to demonstrate a reduction in energy bills for their tenants.

For more information, visit https://www.gov.scot/publications/social-housing-net-zero-heat-fund—call-for-funding-applications/