Zenergi supports the Alpha Trust’s application for funding under the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, securing £402,000 for energy and carbon reduction works that will save more than £21,000 in energy costs, as well as 43.31 tonnes of carbon annually.

Challenge

The Alpha Trust is committed to preparing resilient and responsible citizens and future leaders, while reducing the environmental footprint of its Essex schools.

Following the government announcement of £1 billion of grant funding in Phase 1 of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS) in October 2020, Manningtree High School recognised the opportunity to target substantial energy and carbon emission reductions.

Zenergi was engaged by Manningtree High School to assess the opportunities to access funding via an initial assessment through the Low Carbon Skills Fund. Zenergi then supported the funding application, with Manningtree High School being awarded £249,000 towards new LED lighting and vastly improved roof insulation.

Solution

When the next tranche of funding was announced, (Phase 2 of the PSDS scheme), we worked with the school and the wider Alpha Trust to assess further energy efficiency opportunities
and secured an additional £153,000 of funding towards new double glazed windows, further roof insulation, and an air source heat pump (ASHP) for both Manningtree High School and Colchester County High School for Girls.

The Phase 1 works will enable savings of 21.01 tonnes of CO2e and £21,583 on energy costs annually with a further annual reduction of 22.30 tonnes CO2e from the Phase 2 works.

Both rounds of the funding scheme were highly oversubscribed, and funds were quickly allocated. Successful applications required a thorough understanding of the scheme, the eligible technologies and the calculations to meet the lending criteria, along with the ability to act quickly to submit a quality application. Our experienced team were well placed to support the Trust’s successful application.