Bristol City Leap is pleased to announce that six more community-led energy projects have successfully secured support through the fifth round of the £1.5 million Bristol City Leap Community Energy Fund.

The latest round of funding will support a diverse range of organisations across the city to progress projects that reduce energy use, improve building efficiency and support Bristol’s transition to a cleaner, greener future.

Successful applicants in this round include the Wellspring Settlement, Siri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara Bristol, Watershed Arts and New Stockwood Community Association.

The projects supported through this round include:

  • Conducting thermal imaging to identify remaining heat loss, assess previous upgrades and inform the next steps towards a sustainable heating system and wider decarbonisation plan.
  • Commissioning a heating engineer, following a Centre for Sustainable Energy community building audit, to assess heat pump suitability and explore options for solar battery storage to maximise existing solar generation.
  • Engaging a congregation on reducing energy use in line with Sikh environmental values, while assessing the roof’s suitability for insulation, solar panels and battery storage.
  • Developing a long-term plan to transform Watershed into a climate-resilient, low-carbon venue through retrofit and decarbonisation measures, including heat pumps, mechanical ventilation with heat recovery, and fabric upgrades. The project aims to reduce emissions by 87 tonnes and progress towards detailed designs, planning and a robust business case.
  • Surveying key building elements, including windows, doors, walls and heating systems, to identify opportunities for improved energy efficiency and comfort, alongside assessing the roof for solar installation.
  • Installing a 700kW solar PV system on an industrial unit roof at Lodge Causeway, with potential for battery storage and a local energy supply model.

The Community Energy Fund was established through contributions of £750,000 each from Ameresco and Vattenfall Heat UK. It plays an important role in supporting community organisations across Bristol to deliver local energy projects, reduce fossil fuel use, improve energy efficiency and explore opportunities to connect to the Bristol heat network.

Sixth Round of Funding Now Open

Following the conclusion of the fifth funding round, Bristol City Leap is pleased to confirm that the sixth round of the Community Energy Fund is now officially open.

Community groups, charities, faith organisations and other eligible organisations across Bristol are encouraged to apply for support to help progress their decarbonisation plans.

Applicants can apply for grants and zero-interest loans to support a wide range of community-led energy projects, from early-stage feasibility work through to more developed schemes that are ready to move towards delivery.

Organisations will have until 23 September 2026 to submit their applications. The decision panel will meet the following month, giving applicants time to develop strong proposals that align with the fund’s aims of reducing carbon emissions, supporting local communities and enabling practical energy improvements across the city.

Greater Flexibility for Zero-Interest Loans

As part of the sixth round, Bristol City Leap has also introduced an important update to the zero-interest loan element of the fund.

Previously, organisations applying for loans of up to £50,000 could only use up to 20% of the loan amount for capital costs. In a move designed to accelerate project delivery, successful applicants can now apply for up to £100,000 and use the full loan amount to cover capital costs, providing greater flexibility to bring projects forward.

This means organisations can use loan funding to support more practical, on-the-ground improvements, such as installing low-carbon technologies, improving building fabric, or delivering other measures that directly support decarbonisation.

By making the loan element more flexible, the fund can better support organisations that have already identified what needs to be done and are looking for the financial support to help turn those plans into action.

Microgrants of up to £1,000 also remain available for organisations at the very beginning of their project journey. These are not restricted to specific funding rounds and can be applied for and approved at any time. Our grants and microgrants are ideal for supporting project development, while our loans can support delivery during the implementation phase.

For more information about the Bristol City Leap Community Energy Fund, including eligibility criteria and details on how to apply, please visit: https://www.bristolcityleap.co.uk/community/community-energy-fund/

About the Bristol City Leap Community Energy Fund

The £1.5 million Bristol City Leap Community Energy Fund supports and enables community-led energy projects across Bristol through a combination of grants, microgrants and zero-interest loans

The fund was established through contributions of £750,000 each from Ameresco and Vattenfall Heat UK and is designed to support the development and delivery of local energy initiatives that help reduce carbon emissions, improve energy efficiency and support Bristol’s wider decarbonisation ambitions.