Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to the press release entitled Communities at the heart of new fund to boost local growth and energy security, published by her Department on 11 August 2023, when she plans to open the community energy fund for applications.

The new £10m Community Energy Fund will enable rural and urban communities across England to access grant funding to develop local renewable energy projects for investment, supporting local growth and enabling places directly to benefit from clean, locally owned energy. The Government is aiming to launch applications to the Community Energy Fund as soon as possible.