National Grid launches new multi-million-pound energy affordability fund

The £13.8 million Grid for Good Energy Affordability Fund will run for three years, with £3.5m per year donated to charities and organisations providing immediate financial relief to vulnerable households in the UK. 

The remaining £3.3m will be targeted at similar organisations in the US. 

The first £1.2 million of UK funding has been allocated to:

• Affordable Warmth Solutions – that provide new, free home insulation and other energy efficiency measures to households who don’t qualify for government programmes.
• Fuel Bank Foundation – that provide emergency financial support and advice to households with a prepayment meter that are in fuel crisis and at risk of living without heat, light and power.
• National Energy Action – that work with communities to ensure people can be warm at home.
• National Energy Foundation – that work to help improve the energy efficiency of homes, offers advice and guidance on lowering energy bills and delivers practical solutions to make homes warmer.

This builds on the previous support that National Grid provided to charity partners to help tens of thousands of vulnerable households with energy advice, emergency funding and energy efficiency measures. These include:

• Affordable Warmth Solutions to support over 9,000 homes, resulting in average savings of approximately £256 a year for those it has supported.
• Fuel Bank Foundation to help to 345,700 people living in fuel crisis through energy advice and emergency financial support.
• National Energy Action to provide over £1.3 million of financial support to vulnerable households, supporting 12,433 people.
• National Energy Foundation to invest in an interpretation service and update its website for improved accessibility. The funding has also helped it expand its Better Housing Better Health service into 10 new counties, offering free, impartial energy advice to over 675,000 fuel poor households.

Komie Jain, Global Head of Social Impact and Community Engagement at National Grid said: “Many families continue to face difficult choices when it comes to their energy bills, and we are determined to play our part in alleviating the financial strain. While immediate relief is vital, our vision extends beyond that. Our aim is for the fund to also support households with longer-term efficiency solutions, providing financial benefits for years to come."

Jeremy Nesbitt, Managing Director of Affordable Warmth Solutions said: "I'm delighted to receive this further funding from National Grid. The donation will enable AWS to reach out to those most at risk from the cold and provide them with essential warmth and comfort during periods of extreme weather. We'll be working with the other National Grid partners to ensure assistance is targeted at those at most at need.”

Matt Cole, CEO Fuel Bank Foundation said: “We are extremely grateful for National Grid’s continued support. This funding is essential in helping us provide vital services to the most vulnerable in society, ensuring they do not have to live without heat, light, or power when they cannot afford to top up their prepayment meters.”

Adam Scorer, Chief Executive of National Energy Action said: “National Energy Action is delighted to continue our partnership with National Grid. Many communities have been impacted by the energy crisis. This support allows us to reach those who are the hardest to reach, those who have been left behind and those who require bespoke solutions.”

Dave Evans, CEO National Energy Foundation said: “It’s impossible to overstate how important the support and funding we are receiving from National Grid is. Thanks to Grid for Good, we will be able to support vulnerable households in fuel poverty to live warmer, healthier lives at home.”

ENDS