Ynni Cymru: Capital Grant Funding Programme

Ynni Cymru supports community-owned renewable energy and Smart Local Energy Systems (SLES). SLES bring together energy generation, storage, demand, and infrastructure in a local area. This improves efficiency and delivers the greatest local benefits.

The Capital Grant Phase 2 scheme will be divided into two application pathways:

• Pathway 1: Simple SLES projects with tangible community benefits
  • Projects must include at least one generating technology and one low-carbon heating technology, with the option to include additional technologies.
• Pathway 2: Larger, replicable, or future-looking SLES
  • Projects must incorporate at least two eligible technologies, and the SLES must include renewable energy generation, with the option to include additional technologies.

Eligible technologies include the following:

• Renewable energy generation technologies such as:
  • Anaerobic digestion
  • Hydro
  • Solar Photovoltaics (PV) and solar thermal
  • Wind
• Technology relating to low carbon heating, cooling, and hot water, such as:
  • Heat pumps (any type)
  • Solar thermal
  • Heat networks
• Ultra-low emission transportation infrastructure, such as:
  • Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure (EVCI)
• Energy storage technologies such as:
  • Battery storage
  • Thermal storage
  • Storage heating

The capital grant funding will support eligible organisations to deliver on Ynni Cymru objectives, which are as follows:

• To accelerate the transition and deployment of SLES across Wales
• To expand locally owned renewable energy used and generated in Wales
• To optimise the efficiency and effectiveness of locally owned renewable energy use and generation projects
• To facilitate a just transition to net zero, retaining the benefits for Welsh communities

The following organisations, who are headquartered or have an operating base in Wales, will be eligible to apply:

• Public sector bodies registered in Wales and as defined under the Public Contracts Regulations 2015
• Community organisations and social enterprises
• Legally constituted small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that also employ people in Wales

Joint applications from eligible organisations are welcome and must be submitted by a lead applicant.