Great British Energy Expands Support for Community-Owned Clean Energy

Great British Energy has opened applications for new grants supporting community energy projects across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, while allocating £1.8 million to the Scottish Government for its existing community energy support programme.

The funding forms the first wave of up to £1 billion intended to support community and local energy initiatives.

The new support includes a £20 million Community Fund, providing grants to community organisations to test, develop and build community-owned clean energy assets. Supported projects must demonstrate that the community will hold a defined legal and financial interest in the project and that a defined share of project benefits will be retained for, or delivered to, the local community.

A further £5 million Partnerships Grant will support Local Authorities in England and community energy partners in accelerating joint clean energy projects designed to deliver lasting local benefits.

Great British Energy is also providing £1.8 million to the Scottish Government to support community energy projects under Scotland’s existing Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES), building on more than £10 million provided earlier in the year.

In addition, up to £2.9 million will support advice services across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, helping local organisations develop community energy initiatives.

The government also plans to provide further details in autumn on proposals that would allow community energy groups to take an ownership stake in renewable energy projects. The proposed model is intended to create partnerships between communities and developers, enabling proceeds from clean power generation to flow back into local areas.

The announcement comes as Great British Energy-supported renewable energy projects continue to come online. More than 150 renewable projects have now been switched on for public buildings across England’s Mayoral Combined Authorities, including 157 rooftop solar projects supported through up to £16 million of Great British Energy funding.

Together, these projects could generate up to £50 million in total energy bill savings, which can be reinvested into local public services.

Great British Energy is also seeking information from investors to help determine the scale and scope of its future products.