Making a Robust and Effective Project Development LCSF Application

When applying for Project Development support from the Low Carbon Skills Fund, we will be looking for a commitment to use this funding to develop project ideas and a robust and effective application to the Grant Scheme. We will also be looking for projects that use technologies which match the Grant Scheme criteria.

The headline information below is intended as a high-level guide to help you consider what projects to develop as part of your Project Development application. Salix has also published detailed criteria for applications to the Grant Scheme, which is available to view here.

Eligible Carbon Saving Technologies
A wide range of technologies are available. These have been categorised into four groups:

Category One	Technologies that directly contribute to the heat decarbonisation of a building by installation of a low carbon heating technology. For example, heat pumps and connections to low carbon heat networks.
Category Two	Technologies that do not directly contribute to the heat decarbonisation of a building but reduce overall energy demand and so will support future heat decarbonisation. For example, insulation, glazing, ventilation.*
Category Three	Technologies that do not reduce carbon emissions but enable future heat decarbonisation projects to take place – these technologies are exempt from the requirement to meet the £500/tCO2 lifetime criteria. For example, metering, electrical infrastructure, battery storage.*
Category Four	Technologies that are only permitted if: (a) they are used to replace coal-fuelled heating systems or oil-fuelled heating systems, AND (b) in Salix’s reasonable opinion, it has been demonstrated that it is not viable for a low-carbon heating system to be installed within the building as a replacement for the coal-fuelled heating or oil-fuelled heating system. For example, gas-fired CHP and gas boiler replacement projects would fit into this category provided they meet the above conditions.

*Projects that fall into Category 2 and Category 3 must meet either one of the criteria A, B or C as outlined below. Supporting commentary and evidence is needed to demonstrate how each Category 2 and 3 project meets any one of the criteria.

Criterion A: Category 2 and 3 measures are combined with measures in Category 1.
Criterion B: Category 2 and 3 measures are for buildings that already use low-carbon heating for all their heating requirements.

Criterion C: A written commitment is made to future heat decarbonisation for the buildings in which measures are installed, which includes a commitment to produce and submit a Heat Decarbonisation Plan to Salix by 30th September 2021.

Exclusions: Street lighting is not eligible for this Grant Scheme, but eligible bodies can still apply for the Salix Energy Efficiency Loan Scheme for this technology. Boiler upgrades without certain conditions explained in Category 4 above are also not eligible for the Grant Scheme, but again eligible eodies can apply for the Salix Energy Efficiency Loan Scheme for this technology.