The Low Carbon Skills Fund for public sector decarbonisation

Act now to receive up to 100% FREE funding for your carbon reduction projects


Low Carbon Skills Fund (LCSF)


Public Sector Funding for energy efficiency and decarbonisation.

Phase 3 of the Low Carbon Skills Fund (LCSF) opens on the 15th of June. The Department for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has made up to £14 million available to support public sector bodies in developing plans to reduce their carbon emissions relating to heating. The LCSF scheme will provide financial support to help approved applicants to create or improve their Heat Decarbonisation Plan.

What is a Heat Decarbonisation Plan (HDP)? It is a plan that describes how an organisation intends to replace fossil fuel reliant systems with low carbon alternatives (e.g. Heat Pumps). The plan explains what actions are going to be taken, over what timescales, and the intended outcomes. It is possible that you do not have either the resources or the skilled personnel needed to complete a HDP. If that is the case, you can apply for funding to either produce the whole plan or to appoint specialist help to your organisation to create that plan.

The LCSF fund enables public sector organisations to access grant funding to help them produce a HDP. All applications will be considered and there is no minimum or maximum grant value. Funding is awarded on a first come, first served basis, so it is really important to submit your application as soon as possible once the scheme opens.

Do not wait to start your application – it is a detailed form, and you may need help. Inspired Energy can support you through the application process and help to answer any questions.

Don’t miss your chance of securing FREE funding for your organisation. Get in touch with our experts today to ensure your application is submitted on time for the best chance at securing funding.

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Already have a Heat Decarbonisation Plan?


The Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS) provides funding to public sector bodies that already have an investment-grade Heat Decarbonisation Plan for the implementation of their heat decarbonisation projects.

The Phase 3b application window is planned to open in September with an exact date expected to be published in July 2022. A timeline of both schemes is shown below:


Steps to a funded heat decarbonisation

How can Inspired Energy help?

We work with over 1,200 public sector organisations helping many of them to reduce their carbon footprint on their path to net zero. Our energy experts are experienced in delivering successful applications for this type of funding and can help through:


• Eligibility assessment and application support - We can assess whether your organisation is eligible for a particular scheme. If you are eligible, we can support you in preparing your application to give you the best possible chance of receiving funding.

• Feasibility studies & HDPs - We conduct all the steps and provide the required outputs for both schemes. If funding is not successfully, these investment-grade plans identify suitable technologies to reduce your cost and carbon footprint.

• Procurement - Our Public Contracts team will draft specifications and boilerplate terms and conditions, tender your requirements, and complete all evaluation and tender administration on your behalf. Compliant Contract Management is only a phone call away.

• Protect management - If approved, we can project manage your energy efficiency projects for you. We will oversee implementation and any ongoing maintenance of your projects – just leave it to us.


 

Case Study: HDP for Bedford College Group

The challenge

Bedford College Group needed to produce a Heat Decarbonisation Plan for selected sites where they had received funding for projects under the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme. This Plan had to comply with Salix Guidance for delivery and be delivered within the compliance deadlines. However, the College quickly recognised the value of the project and expanded the scope of delivery to include a full Estates Decarbonisation Strategy across all owner-operator buildings within their Estate.


The solution

The team at Inspired carried out technical site surveys, building modelling in dynamic simulation modelling software and desktop analysis of energy consumption patterns to identify energy saving opportunities in the built estate. The estate comprised various buildings that presented technical challenges from an energy efficiency perspective, including listed and heritage buildings, sites with limited capacity for increased electrical load, scientific facilities with sporadic, intense energy demand and a large agricultural college and zoological centre. We worked closely with the client to understand the challenges they faced and ensure that the resultant report not only met their compliance requirements but was reflective of their ambitions, budgets, and site constraints.


The Result

The recommendations considered:
• Increased energy efficiency through upgrades to the building fabric and building services.
• Optimisation of energy supply
• On-site and off-site electricity generation
• Carbon offsetting programmes
• Purchase of renewable energy via a Power Purchase Agree

The final report was presented in a way that their finance and governance board could both understand and support. We also provided an Action Plan for each campus setting out the recommendations, suggested timescales for delivery and indicative capital costs.

We presented the findings to the Director of Finance and Director of Estates in person so that Bedford College could answer questions about the next steps. We are now continuing to support the College with the implementation of their decarbonisation plan.

VIEW THE FULL CASE STUDY HERE

Speak to our experts today to discuss securing your FREE funding today. Call us today on 01772 689 250, email us at hello@inspiredenergy.co.uk for a call back.