A scheme to help rural businesses in the West of the region install renewable energy technologies has just celebrated two landmarks – its first birthday and its 100th application.
The £1 million RE:think Energy initiative is a two-year project funded by Advantage West Midlands (AWM) which aims to help small and medium-sized companies in rural Shropshire, Herefordshire and parts of Worcestershire.
The latest grants to be awarded, averaging £20,000 each, have been made to businesses as diverse as a bakery, a campsite and a farm which are all located in AWM’s Rural Regeneration Zone (RRZ).
RE:think Energy is helping the recipients invest in technologies including a wood-fuelled bread oven, wind turbines, solar hot water and solar electricity.
Robert Saunders of RE:think Energy said: “We are very pleased at the continuing interest of businesses in taking control of their energy needs, cutting fuel bills and reducing carbon dioxide emissions.
“I am particularly excited by the grant towards installing a new wood pellet-fuelled oven at a Ludlow bakery. I look forward to tasting the scrumptious bread from such an environmentally friendly oven.”
All eligible applicants to the scheme receive free energy advice regarding the suitability of different renewable technologies for their business.
Advantage West Midlands partnership manager Matt Smith said: “The RE:think Energy grant scheme continues to stimulate demand and investment in green technology, in turn delivering new business opportunities in the RRZ.”
