Do you have a great idea to save on energy costs or reduce the carbon footprint of your school, college or academy? Then you can apply for an interest-free loan to make your idea happen.

Salix Energy Efficiency Fund

Salix Finance Ltd was set up in 2004 to offer interest-free Government funding to improve energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions and lower energy bills in the public sector. 

Salix is an independent, publicly funded company funded by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, the Department for Education, the Welsh Government and the Scottish Government.

The company developed its Salix Energy Efficiency Fund (SEEF) in partnership with the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA), focusing specifically on energy efficiency projects. The fund is available for schools, academies, including those in Multi-Academy Trusts (MAT), and sixth form colleges.

To date, the SEEF has distributed more than £560 million in loans to around 15,500 projects in the UK, potentially cutting energy bills by nearly £140 million. It hopes to be open to applications between October and January.

Eligibility for a SEEF grant

Your project can be simple or complex, for example:

• Installing better lighting or heating controls,

• LED lighting

• Insulation

• Boiler/heating system upgrades

The main criteria for applications is that your project must pay for itself within eight years through savings on your energy bills.

However, if your project doesn't quite meet the eight year criterion but you have capital to put towards it to make up the difference, then you can still apply to the SEEF.

You are allowed to apply for one SEEF bid per establishment, in addition to any CIF bids you may have made.

S2e can help you save energy and money

Surveyors to Education (S2e) is a specialist premises planning and funding consultancy for the Academy and MAT sector. We identify opportunities for you to save on your energy bills and we can help you apply successfully for a Salix loan to fund your project. 

For more information about how you can apply successfully for a SEEF loan, please contact S2e, call 01530 276127 or email us at enquire@s2e.org.uk.