The new public sector grant funding for heat decarbonisation

The government has announced a new round of funding to accelerate decarbonisation of heat in the public sector.

Phase 2 of the Salix Low Carbon Skills Fund opened last week and provides up to £15 million of funding, which can be used to engage external specialists on creating or developing a heat decarbonisation plan.

Addressing the way buildings are heated is considered one of the biggest challenges in meeting the UK’s net zero target, and most public sector buildings today still rely on fossil-fuel based heating. The government hopes the funding will ramp up the transition to low carbon heating by giving organisations a strategic plan of action.

Application window

Applications open on Wednesday 28th July 2021 at 2pm for all eligible public sector bodies to apply, with a further application window opening on Monday 13th September 2021 specifically for academies and maintained schools (this second date has been put in place to ensure that schools which have now closed for the holidays can take part).

Applications close when the scheme becomes oversubscribed with good quality applications.

Who can apply?

  • Central government departments and their arm’s length bodies
  • Emergency services
  • Institutions of further and higher education
  • Local authorities
  • Maintained schools within the state education system, including academies, Multi-Academy Trusts and free schools
  • Nursery schools maintained by a local authority
  • NHS Trusts and Foundation Trusts
  • Schools funded by charities, private schools, private colleges and private universities are not eligible to apply

Solid foundations

The funding is for the development of a robust heat decarbonisation plan and does not go towards project implementation. However, it does put organisations in a strong position to take the next steps in decarbonising, including by developing detailed project proposals and applying for any future grant funding for capital decarbonisation measures.