Over 130 local authority and third sector energy projects in England have been awarded a share of £46m in government funding.
Under three separate competitions, the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has provided £31m to schemes tackling fuel poverty, £10m to projects promoting the Green Deal, and £5m to those supporting collective switching co-operatives.
Awarded the largest sum, a regional application led by the Greater London Authority on behalf of 18 boroughs has been provided with £5.6m.
An application led by Hinkley and Bosworth BC and comprising of seven partner authorities was given £3m in funding, while a bid by Birmingham City Council has received £2.2m.
Funds provided to combat fuel poverty are to be spent on the installation of efficient central heating systems and home insulation for the vulnerable.
Projects awarded with energy efficiency funding are able to spend the cash on Green Deal household energy efficiency assessments, whole house retrofits and local events to raise awareness of the Green Deal.
Money earmarked for collective switching will be used to launch schemes helping residents to unite and bid for cheaper tariffs.
Energy secretary Edward Davey said: ‘We need to find new ways to help people with their energy bills, working with communities and councils across the country.
‘The projects we are funding will help people save energy and save money: helping the most vulnerable to heat their homes, getting the Green Deal market up and running and encouraging people to switch energy suppliers to get their bills down.’
