Latest news with #SevernWyeEnergyAgency
Powys County Times
03-05-2025
- Business
- Powys County Times
Funding for renewable energy projects in Montgomeryshire
A grant scheme is offering funding for renewable energy projects in Montgomeryshire. The Windfall scheme, which is run by the Mid Wales Community Energy Trust, is now open for applications. The scheme is primarily focused on energy efficiency and renewable energy projects within the county. Community groups are being encouraged to apply for the second round of funding, which will provide up to £30,000 in grant funding to not-for-profit organisations in the Carno, Caersws, Trefeglwys, Dwyriw, Llanbrynmair, and Llanerfyl community council areas. For community groups outside these areas but still within Montgomeryshire, up to £10,000 in grant funding is available per project. The scheme is also open to low-carbon, shared, community, and active travel initiatives, as well as educational activities aimed at sustainable development. Past beneficiaries have included village halls, football clubs, energy cooperatives, training organisations, and climate action groups. The chair of Windfall, Andy Bull, said: "We're delighted to announce this second round of funding under our new arrangements. "I'd like to encourage community groups to pitch in and apply for grants that could make a tangible difference to local people, especially those around the Carno wind farm and those that operate at least partially in Welsh. "Perhaps it's about installing renewable energy measures or maybe a project that will lower a community's carbon footprint - we're open to considering a wide range of proposals." The grant scheme is managed by the sustainability charity Severn Wye Energy Agency, which will distribute funds to successful applicants. Severn Wye's director for Wales, Dave Gittins, said: "This funding will give an important boost to sustainability projects across Montgomeryshire. "We're excited to see what ideas come forward and to help local communities progress on their low-carbon journeys." The scheme is particularly interested in projects involving renewable energy generation, energy efficiency or demand-reduction measures, low-carbon, shared, community and active travel initiatives, and educational activities around sustainable development. The current round of funding is supplied by Amegni Ltd, the owner of the Carno Wind Farm. Interested applicants can find full guidance and application forms on the Windfall website. Queries about the scheme or the application process can be sent to grants@ The deadline for applications to this round is June 16, 2025, with a further round of funding expected to open in August 2025.
BBC News
07-03-2025
- Business
- BBC News
How Gloucestershire refugee is helping families with energy bills
A former refugee who fled Afghanistan said he has found happiness helping dozens of families cope with the cost of living Akram is an advisor for Severn Wye Energy Agency – a sustainability charity supporting people in hard-to-reach communities in Herefordshire, Gloucestershire and supports Afghan families in their homes, conversing in Farsi to explain how they can reduce their energy use and avoid spiralling debt."Life in the UK has been fascinating. I've grown a lot personally and professionally, have had opportunities to maintain my abilities and, most importantly, help others," Mr Akram said. In August 2021, amid turmoil at Kabul Airport as thousands tried to escape the Taliban, the 23-year-old fled Afghanistan with his parents and siblings."It was very busy at the airport and the day that we got there, it seemed impossible for me and my family to be able to get out of Afghanistan." Their departure was far from certain as they faced a continual threat of violence."It was a nightmare for me and my family. I have brothers and sisters younger than me, obviously their lives were all in danger," Mr Akram as his father had worked as a supervisor at the British Embassy, the family were eligible for one of the UK's Afghan resettlement schemes. Having found a job as an energy advisor in Gloucestershire, where he now lives, Mr Akram recognised refugee families needed his support, particularly with the energy cap expected to rise in Cornwall Insight, which tracks the energy market, said high domestic energy prices were likely to be "the new normal". Severn Wye Energy Agency said about 3,500 households may be slipping through the net and falling further into fuel well as supporting Afghan and Ukrainian refugees, the agency is visiting travelling communities and people living in remote rural areas, in a project funded by gas suppliers, Cadent Gas and Wales and West Utilities. "We have staff who can speak different languages and we also work with refugee organisations to reach those people", said Sandy Ruthven, CEO of Severn Wye Energy Agency."Sometimes there are cultural barriers, sometimes people are suspicious of officials coming into their homes. They may not understand how to call their energy company and we can help with all of those things."In the first few months, Mr Akram and his colleagues visited more than 750 properties, including Khairullah Rahimi's home near December 2023, the father-of-seven fled Afghanistan where he'd been working in security at the British Embassy in was eligible for the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Rahimi said he's had help to reduce his family's energy use, particularly by using his boiler and washing machine at different times and on lower settings."It is very tough and overwhelming to pay these huge bills we receive but I do have support from my case worker who is always helping me and my family," he said."We don't work, unfortunately, due to the language barrier which is most challenging, but my wife and I are both studying English to try and find work." 'Big relief' Mr Akram is determined to help others navigate the tricky terrain of paying household bills as prices continue to settling in Gloucestershire, he said he has found happiness, peace and security."The first day I woke up in the UK was a big relief," he added."I went to the other room to see my dad and my family sleeping peacefully, and that was the best feeling I ever had in my life – seeing my family safe." Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
