Marches Renewable Energy Project (MarRE)

The Marches Renewable Energy (MarRE) project is accepting formal expressions of interest. MarRE is a grant scheme part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund. The project will run from from July 1 2019 to December 31 2021.

Eligible applicants can apply for a 50% grant towards the installation of eligible renewable technologies on their premises. Grants will only be awarded for new installations at existing premises. Retrospective applications are not eligible and no work should start until written approval is agreed.

Who can apply?

Eligible applicants include:

• Local Authorities
• Statutory and non-statutory public funded organisations/bodies
• Higher and Further Education Institutions
• Voluntary/community organisations
• Private sector companies
• Registered charities
• Not-for-profit organisations

Eligible applicants must be located in the Marches local authority areas of Herefordshire, Shropshire, and Telford & Wrekin.

What technologies will the grant cover?

The MarRE project covers a range of technologies including:

• Wind
• Solar
• Aerothermal - including air source heat pumps
• Geothermal - including ground source heat pumps
• Hydrothermal and ocean energy
• Hydropower
• Biomass
• Landfill gas
• Sewage treatment plant gas and biogases.

How much can you apply for?

The grant amount is for up to 50% of eligible installation works. There is no maximum amount. Installations are expected to be in the range of 4 to 200kWp. Installations larger than 200kWp will not be considered for this project.

Other eligibility constraints:

MarRE will not support projects, which will claim under the Feed in Tariff scheme (FITs) or the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI).

As the Marches Renewable Energy project falls within the General Block Exemption Regulations (GBER), MarRE is unable to award grant funding to organisations meeting the condition known as "undertakings in difficulty". Applicants will need to demonstrate that they meet the requirements of these regulations and accept the terms of this grant. (For more information see. 'undertaking in difficulty' as defined by GBER').

All applicants must procure any installations in line with European procurement rules.

Applicants will be required to carry out a structural survey where necessary.

How to apply

A two-stage application process has been developed to try to ensure a quick turn-around in the decision making process. Eligible expressions of interest will sent full application forms which, once submitted, will be assessed by the project steering group.

If you would like to your renewable energy installation to be considered for grant support from MarRE, please complete the expression of interest form and return by email to delegatedgrants@herefordshire.gov.uk

If you would like to discuss your proposal before completing the form please contact the MarRE Project Manager on 01432 260064.