Business Renewable Energy Fund

13. How to apply

  • 1

    Before we ask you to make a full application, you will need to submit an expression of interest which outlines your business proposal and costs. You will need the following information:

    • Your details
    • Business details and description of its main activity
    • Indicative project costs
    • Details of any additional funding / finance

     

  • 2

    Once we've received your EOI, we will check if your proposed business is eligible to be supported through the Business Renewable Energy Fund. We will let you know within 7-10 working days whether your application has been successful at this stage.

  • 3

    If your EOI application is successful, we will ask you to complete a full application. You will need the following information:

    • 2 years historical accounts
    • Proof of match funding
    • Completed Welsh Government Green Growth Pledge
    • Statutory Consents (if applicable)
    • Quotes for items you intend to purchase using money awarded from the grant. You must follow the procurement rules outlined in this section.
    • Compliance with the Welsh Language Standards (this will be assessed via application form)
    • Environmental Policy – You need to explain how you will implement environmentally friendly practices to minimise the impact on the environment whilst operating your business. We would also encourage you to sign up to the Welsh Government Green Growth Pledge.

    We will email an application form using the contact information you provided in your EOI. Your application will be allocated to one of our team, they will get in touch if it is incomplete or additional information is required.

    Fully completed applications will be considered on a first come, first served basis until the fund is fully allocated, please complete this as soon as possible.

    We are here to help, please email: BREF@carmarthenshire.gov.uk if you'd like us to go through your application with you.

  • 4

    Each application will be assessed by a panel made up of officers from the Authority prior to final approval by the Head of Regeneration. Grant requests over £10,000 will be referred to the Cabinet Member for ratification

    Your application will be assessed against: 

    • viability of the business
    • your carbon savings
    • value for money for the amount of grant money awarded
  • 5

    We will let you know the final outcome of your application following the panel review. If your application is successful and you are awarded funding, we will email you the terms and conditions of the grant. You must accept these terms within 30 days. 

    You need to purchase the items included within your application and submit a claim form within 4 months from receiving your final approval and terms of the grant. If you need more time to do this or you have changed any of the items/suppliers listed in your application, you will need to request an extension or deviation.

  • 6

    To request payment of funds, you will need to provide the following information:

    • invoice / receipt of payment
    • bank statement showing the payments being made to the supplier
    • photos of the items
    • bank details

    Remember you cannot use grant money for items purchased in:

    • in cash
    • lease purchase, hire purchase, extended credit agreements/finance leases
  • 7

    You need to purchase the items included within your application and submit a claim form within 4 months from receiving your final approval and terms of the grant. If you cannot do this for any reason, you will need to ask for an extension. You will need the following information:

    • Reason why you need an extension 
    • Date you will be able to purchase items and submit your claim form

     

  • 8

    If you change any of the items or suppliers detailed in your application, you must let us know as soon as possible. You will need the following information:

    • Items/suppliers you're changing and the reason why you've decided to do this
    • New items / suppliers and costs
    • New quotes, please read procurement rules for guidance.

    Do not purchase any items until you’ve had approval, we will make a decision within 3- 5 working days.

     

  • 9

    Once we've received your claim form, we will check that you have complied with the terms of the grant. If we need any additional information before we can release the funds, we will let you know. We will email you to let you know when your claim has been approved.

    It can take up to 20 working days from when we receive your claim form to complete this assessment and set up a payment into your bank account. 

  • 10

    We will formally monitor your business and outputs and ask for evidence in year 1, 3 and 5.