The fund is open for one funding round per year. This will conclude with the 2027-2028 funding round.

The fund is open to eligible organisations in SSEN Distribution areas.

Check if we cover your postcode area here. 

Please note for LCT applicants - Off-grid communities are not eligible to apply.

We have an online application form. Applicants are asked to register with a user account (name, e-mail, password) and to complete the form online. Information is saved as you go through the form, allowing you to complete sections and then return later on, but we encourage people to work on their answers offline using our guidance documents before submitting.

Details about registering online and completing the form are in the fund guidance notes. Grants are reviewed by an independent panel.

Projects must have a ‘primary’ LCT technologies element to be eligible for funding, (include solar, battery, heat systems, smart heating controls, EV charging). ‘Secondary’ measures (e.g. lighting, insulation, windows) can be considered alongside the installation of LCT. However, due to the anticipated demand on the fund we will judge each application on a case by case basis.

We are unable to support the advancement of religion or politics. If a project is to improve a building where the primary purpose is religious worship or teaching then it is likely to be ineligible. However, in the instance that a church hall is used widely by multiple community organisations that are not linked to that religious or political activity, we may be able to review that application. Applications are reviewed on their own merits and on a case by case basis.

Yes, Parish/Town Councils in England and Community Councils in Scotland are
eligible for PCNZ funds. District, borough, regional and city councils are not eligible.

Yes, you can apply again in future funding rounds if you are unsuccessful, provided your organisation and project are eligible.

We are unable to fund retrospective projects. In the instance where a technology has already been installed, we cannot fund this. However, we may be able to support projects that are adding to existing infrastructure, for example, installing new battery storage to complement existing Solar PV. The fund cannot support repairs to existing LCT equipment.

To be eligible, your project must be based in a building that is a key community asset and well-used by a broad cross-section of the community. Buildings with limited community use are less likely to be prioritised for funding. Additionally, the building must either be in community ownership or held under a long-term lease (more than five years).

An energy audit is a detailed assessment of how energy is used in a building, facility, or system, with the goal of identifying opportunities to improve energy efficiency and reduce energy costs. The energy audit will help to demonstrate that the LCT you want to install is appropriate or if any other measures are required to improve energy efficiency.

One thing we're often asked by communities in their applications concerns backup power, particularly for their village hall or other building used as a designated warm space. We particularly encourage low-carbon solutions for use as backup power, but we know it's not always a feasible option. Here is our 'rule of thumb' when looking at solar and battery backup versus power generators.

If you're applying for a power source, you must provide full details of the technology that you wish to purchase in the ‘Project Description’ part of the application. This should include detail confirming that the backup power is essential, fit-for-purpose, and that installation, security, storage and maintenance have all been fully appraised.

If a battery storage system is not appropriate, please explain why in your application. We’ll only consider applications for fuel-powered generators that can run on Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO).

This is a less-polluting substitute for diesel that’s usually compatible with modern diesel engines. HVO and diesel can sometimes be interchangeable – this is something you should check with the generator supplier. And make sure you provide details of your generator and of the electrical load requirement of the building that it would support.

If you're sourcing a generator, ensure you look at fuel, insurance and maintenance, electrical requirements of the building, site preparation such as connection location, storage, and any transport requirements for portable generators. 

Due to funding parameters regulated by Ofgem (the energy regulator), eligibility extends exclusively to the purchase and installation of low carbon technology infrastructure. As such, we are unable to fund the upgrade of supply cabling.

Mintlaw and Central Buchan Initiative (MACBI) received an award of £20,000, which enabled them to install solar panels on the roof of their community hub, along with a battery storage system.

The Eassie, Nevay and Kirkinch Community Association received a £17,100 award towards solar PV and battery storage at its community hall.

The Mull and Iona Community Trust serves the Ulva Ferry community on the Isle of Mull; it’s one of the most isolated areas in the UK. The Trust successfully applied for £19,110 to support the installation of solar panels and battery storage on two social homes in the community.

The Hawk Conservancy Trust welcomes 65,000 visitors annually, and operates a Birds of Prey Hospital, which treats and rehabilitates sick, injured, and orphaned birds. The trust is also home to a visitor centre and community space.

The Hawk Conservancy Trust has installed solar panels on its centre; after it received £19,100 from the fund towards this project.

Penny Snout from the Trust says: 

“We’re so grateful for the grant and the difference it is making for our venue and the planet. In the first couple of months since the solar panels were installed, we’ve already produced 5.7MWh electricity.”

Abbotswood Community Association has installed an environmentally-friendly heat pump and air conditioning / heating units at its community centre, helped by £12,000 from the fund. Sue and Laura (below) are among the members of the local community benefitting from the newly-installed equipment; the Association told us that on some of the hottest days of the year of 2025, the air-conditioning was being entirely powered by their solar panels and battery! 

Aultbea Community Hub received £20,000 to install solar panels on the roof and battery storage to improve the energy efficiency of the hub.

Evanton Community Trust received £20,000 to install Solar PV and battery storage for the village’s Jubilee Hall.

Dorne & District Community Trust's project was awarded just over £16,000 to install an air-source heat pump and other energy efficiency measures at a community hub.

The Keltybridge & Maryburgh Water Association project received £8,250 to purchase and install battery storage to ensure continuous water treatment capability in the event of a power outage.

The North Uist Development Company installed Solar PV and battery storage to the Environmental Centre at the former Lochmaddy Primary School with its £20,000 funding. 

Urras Storas an Rubha successfully applied for funding to develop a battery storage and an intelligent control system to improve resilience on the peninsula.

Bromham Community Hub received a grant of nearly £20,000 to install battery storage to its existing solar array, boosting its power and cutting its costs through the use of low-carbon technology.

Chair the of Trustees, Sue Wilkinson says:

"We’re absolutely delighted to have installed our new solar battery system, made possible through the generous support of SSEN’s Powering Communities to Net Zero Fund. This upgrade will significantly reduce our running costs and carbon footprint, strengthening the long‑term sustainability of the Bromham Community Hub.

“We're very grateful to SSEN for its support in helping us take this important step forward."

Dilton Memorial Hall received more than £18,000 to install solar panels and battery storage. This new system means the hall’s trustees can save money, reduce their carbon footprint and ensure the hall is viable in the future.

Ray Jones (pictured above) who is one of the trustees Dilton Memorial Hall, says:

"This is something we have wanted to do for some time and thankfully, the grant funding from SSEN has allowed us to achieve our aim now, rather than years in the future".

After prolonged wintry weather in Aberdeen in January 2026, with widespread ice and snow hitting the city, the award of nearly £6,000 to Ashgrove and Stockethill Community Council to buy grit-spreaders proved to be invaluable in keeping local pavements clear.

Fiona Meade (pictured above) the community council’s Vice Chair and Winter Resilience co-ordinator says:

"The PCNZ grant allowed our winter resilience team to upgrade our pavement gritters to heavy duty high-capacity salt spreaders. These gritters allow our volunteers to cover more ground, making our team more efficient and sustainable, whilst keeping our community safe in icy and snowy conditions."

The Brechin Buccaneers group received £4,038 to purchase sandbags and emergency equipment to help bolster local flood resilience.

Carnoustie Community Council bought flood prevention equipment and a portable generator with its £5,486.

Finavon Flood Action Group received £15,000 to install flood barriers in key locations in Finavon including reinforcement of the existing bund.

The Strathmartine Community Resilience Forum was awarded just over £12,000 to purchase community flood kits for distribution to individual vulnerable households and storage space for the equipment.

Newbury Flood & Drainage Action Group received £15,000 for flood prevention measures for vulnerable members of the community, including flood sacks and air brick covers.

Hampshire Search and Rescue Dogs received £9,934 to help buy rescue and resilience equipment and conduct training to support water rescue volunteers in Hampshire and Isle of Wight.

Tongue, Melness & Skerray Community Council was granted £7,882 to buy portable backup power stations and firefighting equipment.

Cowes Town Council on the Isle of Wight secured £15,000 in funding in the 2025 funding round to strengthen local resilience in the event of flooding , through essential flood‑response equipment such as sack trucks, generators, brushes, buckets and cleaning materials, as well as a dedicated storage container to house the items.

After significant flooding in October 2023 on the Isle of Wight, Ryde Town Council sought advice from the local Emergency Planning Team as well as community groups and businesses. The planning undertaken led to an award of £10,355, to purchase flood prevention measures to increase resilience and support recovery after storm damage.

Meigle and Ardler Community Development Trust received over £10,300 to purchase flood protection equipment for use by their Resilience Team to support the local response during severe weather. 

The team at Walls Community Hall received £6,000 to purchase mobile communications equipment which will be used to support the most vulnerable members of the local community.

South Nesting Community Hall’s award helped install an external generator connection socket with changeover switch.

The Hebridean Trust was granted £11,918 to undertake electrical works in the Martin Boyd Exhibition Hall to create a multi-purpose community hub, with the upgraded centre becoming a venue for the local community to keep warm, have a meal, and stay safe during an emergency.

Britford Parish Council received a grant of £15,000 to contribute towards flood prevention measures including the construction of a bund and associated works.

Teffont Parish Council in Salisbury was awarded just over £2,600 to purchase a storage container (pictured below) for emergency equipment required in the event of power outages and storms, building on the community’s established resilience plans.

David Wood, Chairman of the Teffont Trust says:

"The village of Teffont has been working for several years to build a strong community resilience plan, and we’re proud to have now established a fully equipped Emergency Hub in our village hall. The support provided through the PCNZ award from SSEN has been invaluable; previously enabling us to purchase essential items such as a generator, submersible pumps, flood barriers, torches, and walkie‑talkies.

“Our most recent award has allowed us to strengthen our preparedness even further with the addition of a secure storage container, floodlights, and waterproof extension cables. As a community, we are extremely grateful for this ongoing support, which we firmly believe has significantly improved our readiness should the worst happen.”

Wiltshire Search and Rescue received £38,564 to replace emergency rescue and communications equipment combined with undertaking a significant training programme for volunteer operatives.