SC Energy Office Announces Available Funding Opportunities

 

COLUMBIA, SC — The SC Energy Office (SCEO), housed within the SC Office of Regulatory Staff, serves as the principal energy-planning entity for the state.  The SCEO currently has two (2) unique funding opportunities available.

 

 

The SC Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Competitive Subgrant Program (SC EECBG Program) is accepting applications.  Local governments may submit applications for funding amounts from $50,000 up to $100,000 to support projects and programs that improve energy efficiency, reduce energy use, and realize energy savings in South Carolina. Cost sharing is not required, but leveraging of funds is encouraged to maximize the energy-related benefits of each project. Awarded projects must be completed by June 30, 2026.

 

Round Three SC EECBG Eligible Applicants include:

  • Counties or municipalities that are ineligible for US DOE EECBG Funding,
  • Local public authorities,
  • School districts,
  • Special districts,
  • Councils of Governments,
  • Any other regional or intrastate governmental entity or instrumentality of a local government, and
  • State agencies (new for this round).

 

The SC EECBG Program is funded by SCEO through the US Department of Energy’s (US DOE) EECBG Program. Local governments in South Carolina may apply for subgrants from the SC EECBG Competitive Program if they were not eligible to receive direct EECBG funding from the US DOE, as listed in the SC Entities Eligible for US DOE EECBG.    

 

Applications for SC EECBG projects will be accepted while funds are available, on a rolling basis, through Monday, December 1, 2025, at 11:59 pm EST.  Early applications are encouraged due to the short project implementation timeline.  For more project ideas, application guidance, and program details, visit the SCEO EECBG webpage.

 

 

The SCEO’s annual Mini-Grant Program opened on October 3, 2025. Public entities and non-profit organizations may apply for grants up to $50,000 to fund high-impact, demonstration projects in the areas of energy efficiency, renewable energy, and clean transportation. Projects may include lighting retrofits, efficient HVAC upgrades, solar installations, EV charging infrastructure, and more. Cost-sharing is not required, although leveraging funds is encouraged to maximize the energy-related benefits of a project. Please note that due to limited funding, these grants are highly competitive; only a small number of applications will be selected to receive a grant award. Awarded projects must be completed by February 1, 2027.

 

Mini-Grant Program Eligible Applicants include:

  • state agencies,
  • local governments,
  • public colleges/universities/technical colleges,
  • K-12 public schools, and
  • non-profit organizations.

 

The Mini-Grant Program is funded by SCEO through the US DOE grant funding. The maximum grant award amount is $50,000.  The SCEO evaluates Mini-Grant Program applications through a competitive process and considers the criteria listed in the solicitation document, available online.  Applications for the Mini-Grant Program will be accepted through Friday, December 5, 2025, at 5:00 pm EST.  To apply, please complete and submit the application form, available online.

 

Please note that timelines, criteria, awardee obligations, award amounts, and other specifications vary by program.  Additional information is available online via the corresponding program’s webpage on energy.sc.gov.  

 

 

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