Businesses across parts of Conwy and Denbighshire are being encouraged to apply for funding from the Clocaenog Forest Wind Farm Fund, with applications for the 2026 business grant programme now officially open.
The fund, which is supported by the Clocaenog Forest Wind Farm near Denbigh, offers grants of between £1,000 and £35,000 to eligible businesses operating within the designated area of benefit.
Applications must be submitted by 5pm on Monday, July 13, with successful projects expected to be announced following a panel meeting in October. The earliest approved projects can begin is November 2026.
The funding forms part of a £19 million community benefit package linked to the wind farm, which is owned by RWE and built on Welsh Government land managed by Natural Resources Wales. The 96MW development comprises 27 turbines and generates enough renewable electricity to power around 63,800 homes each year.
Since launching in 2020, the fund which is administered by CVSC has supported a wide range of projects aimed at strengthening rural communities and local economies across the surrounding area.
The business fund is open to both start-up and established businesses registered within the Clocaenog area of benefit. Applicants must demonstrate how their project will contribute to at least one of five key themes: prosperous communities, health and wellbeing, the economy, conservation and the environment, or digital development.
Projects could include business expansion, job creation, tourism initiatives, training opportunities, farm diversification, broadband improvements, digital skills programmes, environmental schemes and investments that help improve community facilities.
The fund is particularly significant for rural parts of North Wales, where access to investment can often be more limited than in urban areas. Business leaders and community groups have long highlighted the importance of grant schemes in helping rural enterprises grow, create jobs and support local services.
Funding can be used for both capital and revenue projects, although applicants will need to provide a detailed business plan, financial forecasts and evidence of match funding. Businesses seeking grants between £1,000 and £10,000 must contribute at least 10 per cent match funding, while projects over £10,000 require a minimum contribution of 30 per cent.
Applications will be assessed by an independent local panel made up of community representatives from across the area.
Businesses are encouraged to discuss proposals with fund administrators before applying to ensure projects meet the fund’s criteria.
The maximum grant available is £35,000 over a three-year period, although larger applications may be considered in exceptional circumstances within Zone 1 of the funding area.
Organisers say the scheme continues to demonstrate how renewable energy developments can provide long-term benefits to local communities, helping to create jobs, improve infrastructure and support economic resilience across rural North Wales.
Further information, including application forms and guidance notes, is available through the Clocaenog Forest Wind Farm Fund, with all applications required to be submitted before the July deadline.