Four projects in Cumbria are among 12 shortlisted for funding to help accelerate the region’s transition to net zero.
The Borderlands Energy Investment Programme aims to help reduce carbon emissions, strengthen energy resilience, and create new green jobs and skills across South Scotland and the North of England.
Organisations and firms were invited to submit expressions of interest and after an initial assessment, 12 projects have been shortlisted for the cash.
The selected initiatives will be refined over the next 12 to 18 months and, if approved, delivered across the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal’s lifetime to drive sustainable regional growth.
Rick O’Farrell, Borderlands Inclusive growth director, said: “Through the Borderlands Energy Investment Programme, we’re supporting projects that will deliver secure, affordable, and sustainable energy for residents and businesses.
“The selected projects will help reduce carbon emissions, boost local economies, and build the skills needed for the future. By developing scalable solutions tailored to the unique needs of rural areas, we’re creating lasting benefits for the communities across the region.”
The Cumbria projects are:
Borderlands Energy Storage Transformation Compressed Air Energy Storage
Led by BEC and Expert Alliance, the project aims to deliver a 2.2MWh modular Compressed Air Energy Storage (CAES) plant in West Lakes Science Park, near Whitehaven.
Using UK-developed water-based air compression, it will demonstrate how renewable energy can be buffered without relying on batteries or scarce minerals.
Sustainable Community Buildings
Enabled by ACTion with Communities in Cumbria and Community Action Northumberland, the initiative will support 30 energy improvement projects across 20 community buildings in Cumbria and 10 in Northumberland.
Community-led upgrades will improve energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions, and strengthen resilience in rural areas, creating warmer, more sustainable spaces for local services and emergency support.
Borderlands Optimised Output for Sustainable Transport
Led by Cybermoor Limited, this project will strengthen rural energy resilience and accelerate the transition to net zero by installing innovative Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) charge points at community buildings across Cumbria and Northumberland.
Electrification of Heat in Papermaking
Papermaker James Cropper, in Burneside, near Kendal, generates most of its energy use and carbon emissions from heat demand.
This project will decarbonise that heat by electrifying the site, replacing natural gas with electricity to operate one paper machine.
The new system will reduce energy consumption and emissions, allowing the machine to operate independently of existing CHP and boiler systems, supporting a lower‑carbon, more resilient future for the business.
