More than 30 charities and organisations are to share £9.7m handed through energy regulator Ofgem’s Energy Redress Scheme, where energy firms make voluntary payments for rule breaches.

Among those benefiting from this latest funding round is Citizens Advice Denbighshire, which has been awarded £148,810 to deliver energy advice to those impacted by fuel poverty across North Wales.

"With this funding we can reach families and vulnerable residents in Rhyl and Prestatyn who are most affected by fuel poverty, said the charity’s chief executive Julie Pierce.

Its service will provide “crisis support and small energy-saving measures that will make a real difference - helping people stay warm, reduce debt and regain confidence in managing their energy costs”.

Also receiving funding in this latest round is Lincolnshire community benefit society Grimsby Community Energy, which has been handed £126,440 for its project to develop solar panelling to vulnerable households to help reduce their energy bills.

The scheme is managed by the Energy Saving Trust, whose senior project manager Graham Ayling said: “This latest round of funding will enable frontline voluntary sector workers to support those most at risk from high energy prices.

“It will also help reduce energy use in our homes a significant part of the UK’s transition to net zero, in a way that leaves no one behind.”

Ofgem’s head of enforcement Russell Ogilvie added: “When energy suppliers don’t meet our standards, we hold them accountable through our robust compliance and enforcement work.

“The resulting near £10 million from this round will provide vital support to households across the country who need it most. It will also contribute to reducing and decarbonising energy consumption in homes - an essential step in the journey to net-zero.”

This is the 12th funding round. Since its launch seven years ago the scheme has handed more than £191m to support 755 projects.

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