The fund is now open for the first round of applications. The first phase will offer grants of up to £10,000 from an initial pot of £100,000 for grassroots projects, ranging from transport and connectivity to community facilities, nature and gardens.
 
In March, the Germany-based energy group completed the purchase of three offshore wind farm development projects from Swedish energy company Vattenfall.
 
The projects – Norfolk Vanguard West, Norfolk Vanguard East and Norfolk Boreas –  each with a planned capacity of 1.4 gigawatts, will be located 47–80 kilometres off the Norfolk coast.
 
The three projects have already secured seabed rights, grid connections, Development Consent Orders and all other key permits and onshore construction activities are underway.
 
The onshore cable corridor for the wind farm projects will pass through the Reepham district, to the north and west of the town, en route from Happisburgh to the National Grid substation at Necton.
 
The Norfolk Offshore Wind Zone will bring £15 million of funding over its 25-year lifetime for communities across rural Norfolk.
 
The community fund is designed to support a wide range of innovative projects, bringing communities together and having a lasting impact on health, well-being and environmental sustainability.
 
The focus of the fund has been shaped by a programme of consultation, surveys and workshops with local communities that stretches over eight years, throughout the development of the offshore wind farm projects.
 
For additional details on applying for the initial funding round, including eligibility criteria and area boundaries, click HERE.