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Matt Popple, Partnerships & Project Manager, UMi
North Wales has a huge opportunity to lead the way in clean energy. With a strong industrial heritage, natural resources, and a business community that is increasingly looking to decarbonise, the region is well placed to take advantage of the transition to a low-carbon economy. The £15 million Private Sector Sub-Fund of the North Wales Clean Energy Fund has been created to support that shift, and I am excited about the role it can play in shaping the region’s future.
The purpose of this fund is clear: to help businesses reduce their carbon emissions, improve energy efficiency and generate clean energy.
It is designed specifically for North Wales, meaning its benefits will be felt directly in the region. For me, that local focus is one of its most important strengths, because the projects we back will leave a legacy that communities here can see and share in.
The range of businesses that can access this support is wide.
We have already had interest from small hospitality operators looking to install solar panels and heat pumps, through to those exploring large-scale projects such as wind and tidal. The eligibility criteria are deliberately broad: as long as a project is based in North Wales, delivers decarbonisation, involves some match funding, and creates jobs, then it can be considered. That means the fund is open to almost any business, from local service providers through to energy developers.
The loan model is designed to be flexible.
Businesses can apply for loans from £25,000 to £2 million, with terms of up to 60 months. Interest rates vary between 5% and 14%, depending on the level of risk identified through due diligence, and there is a 1% arrangement fee. Importantly, this fund is not here to replace existing finance but to complement it. We are happy to work alongside grants or other loans to help businesses get the right mix of support to deliver their plans.
At UMi, we have worked with hundreds of thousands of businesses across the UK to help them secure funding, and we take pride in being a responsible lender. We want to ensure that any business borrowing from us can comfortably afford repayments, and that the finance is being used to achieve genuine outcomes. The process starts with a simple expression of interest on the Ambition North Wales website. From there, our team speaks directly to businesses to understand their project, talk through the criteria, and support them through the application.
The impact of this fund will go beyond individual businesses.
By lowering energy costs, companies will become more resilient and competitive. By investing in clean energy, they will also contribute to North Wales’ wider ambitions for net zero. And because repayments are reinvested back into the fund, the £15million initial pot will extend its reach far beyond its starting value, supporting many more businesses in the years to come.
What excites me personally is the sense of legacy.
When I think about the projects that could be realised through this fund – whether it is a solar array, a tidal scheme, or retrofitting an older building – I think about the pride that comes from knowing these changes will shape the region for the better. As a parent, I imagine walking with my children and being able to point to those projects and say: we helped make that happen.
The opportunity for North Wales is real and immediate.
Businesses of all sizes, in all sectors, have a role to play. The only real limit is imagination. If you have a plan that can cut carbon, create jobs and strengthen your business, then this fund could help you to bring it to life – and in doing so, contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable North Wales for the future.