Kia ora
You have been invited to submit a funding application to the Trust Vital Impact Collaborative Energy Fund. In making that invitation we believe that the work you are doing contributes to the Trust aims and this is an opportunity to support your organisation with more efficient and less costly energy use.
Through this new fund the Trust is interested in being a pro-active collaborator and contributor in funding community organisation energy/electricity related projects that will have a direct positive impact on the economic and/or social wellbeing of the region.
The aim of the fund is to support sustainable energy initiatives that will result in more efficient generation, storage and use of energy/electricity in the WEL Energy Trust region.
Funding support is available to eligible community organisation projects that involve one or more of the following
- Distributed Generation (DG) of electricity: solar, wind, wave etc
- Installation of solar arrays on buildings that are owned and used by your organisation
- Electricity storage and batteries in conjunction with a solar panel array
- Initiatives that encourage efficient use of electricity
- Energy efficient lighting for stadiums, sports fields, courts etc
As well as contributing to varying degrees our key aims and pillars the main alignment with this fund is energy efficiency and sustainability.
Healthy Environment - He Taiao Hauora
Our taiao is healthy through prioritising waste minimisation, environmental education and locally-led initiatives.
Application form information
Please complete this form answering all questions. Depending on the type of project selected, some sections will not apply and can't be accessed. Where you may have detailed information, you can refer to it in an attachment.
Where possible with budget items provide supporting information; we will require quotes etc if seeking capital funds for solar installations, lighting etc. Please note depending on the size and cost of the project that we may not fund the full cost of project.
The key aspects for our assessment will be
- The viability and sustainability of the project
- For generation, system requirements approved by WEL Networks Ltd
- Alignment with the Trust's 2025-2028 Community Investment Strategy
- Alignment with the purposes and activities above
- Benefit to the wider community
- The financial benefit to your organisation, e.g. electricity cost saving with solar or LED lighting
- The capacity, capability and history of the applicant
- The contribution and support of collaborators and/or stakeholders
Please note as part of assessment we may seek external review and comments.
SOLAR INSTALLATION IMPORTANT NOTE
All Distributed Generation (solar) and/or battery installations require approval by WEL Networks Ltd. This process has just been simplified, and all information is available via the following link to the WEL portal. This DG application is usually done by your solar installer. For installations under 10kW generating capacity it is an automated on-line process which can be completed in about 10 minutes free of charge. For over 10kW it is a streamlined process which involves manual involvement and fees starting at $500.
Whatever size capacity system as part of this application assessment process we will seek a review of your application by WEL Networks Ltd. This is to ensure that the installation, system capacity, and viability is consistent with your requirements and use. Any feedback we receive may alert you to any potential issues and this will be communicated.
WEL Network DG (solar) portal
If you have any queries, please contact David Cowley - Grants Manager, WEL Energy Trust.
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