17 September 2026
Communities given more control over local energy with ‘People’s Power’ projects to tackle climate change
Great British Energy rolls out first wave of biggest public community energy investment in UK history, backing local places to cut bills and take climate action.
Local authorities and community energy groups can now access funding to build their own clean power projects.
Communities to be offered an ownership stake in renewable energy projects, ensuring proceeds of clean power flow back into local areas.
Communities across the country will be able to build and control their own clean energy supply that will help to cut bills, grow local wealth and tackle the climate crisis – with the rollout of People’s Power projects across the UK.
Local authorities and community energy groups across the UK will now be able to progress plans for their own clean power projects - from solar panels on local buildings to village-owned wind farms and hydro schemes in nearby rivers. This will help to put money back in the pockets of communities and allow them to join in UK-wide climate action, following the record temperatures reached this summer due to climate change.
Great British Energy is today (17 September) launching £30 million funding to kick start a community power revolution – the first downpayment on up to £1 billion, announced earlier this year - with the aim to support over 1000 local and community-led clean energy projects across the UK. These will be owned by community energy groups or local authorities, meaning local areas can reap the full benefits – from reduced bills for local services to ensuring profits from the clean power generated flow back into towns and villages, rather than just to energy companies.
After the heatwaves and extreme weather events seen this year, this funding will give communities a route to helping tackle climate change - empowering them to move away from fossil fuels with their own clean energy supply that will help cut emissions and protect their local area.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said:
“I know many people are worried about climate change and feel like they’ve got no control over where their energy comes from, or how they can actually make a difference.
“Today we're changing that by giving people power. Whether it's solar panels on a local library or a community-owned wind farm, we’re letting people decide what clean energy projects they want and making sure they feel the benefits of the clean energy transition in their pockets too.”
Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh said:
“All of us felt deep concern for our climate during the record-breaking temperatures we experienced this summer.
“Ahead of New York Climate week, we are putting power in the hands of people and places, so more communities can take action.
“Everyone deserves a stake in our energy future and through these local power projects, communities can reap the full benefits of clean energy – reducing emissions, cutting bills and reinvesting profits to benefit local areas, instead of big energy companies.”
CEO of Great British Energy Dan McGrail said:
"Great British Energy is continuing to put communities at the heart of the clean energy transition with the GBE Community Fund and Partnerships Grant. Our vision is that every community should have the chance to build and own its own renewable energy. These grants will give community organisations and local authorities the practical support they need to get clean energy projects off the ground - lowering bills, supporting jobs and putting the benefits from energy into local hands.”
Alongside funding specific local power projects, the government will also set out further details this Autumn on plans for community energy groups to be offered an ownership stake in renewable energy projects.
This aims to create partnerships between communities and developers that will see proceeds of clean power flow back into local areas. It will bring Britain in line with countries like Germany and Denmark, where this type of ownership set up is already widely used – allowing communities to benefit directly from local clean power.
It comes as a host of Great British Energy schemes come online, helping local services save on energy bills in towns and cities across England. Over 150 renewable projects have now switched-on for public buildings in England’s Mayoral Combined Authorities, with more to follow – which together could see up to £50 million in total energy bill savings reinvested in local services.
Notes to Editors
Local ownership is already breathing new life into neighbourhoods across the country, reviving pubs, libraries and leisure centres. But for too long, community-run energy projects have been held back by a lack of funding, advice and government support.
Great British Energy is changing this as applications have opened today for new grants to support community energy projects in England, Wales and Northern Ireland - while £1.8 million has been allocated to the Scottish Government for its existing community energy support programme. It forms the first wave of up to £1 billion in support to put clean energy back in the hand of communities.
This is on top of up to £16 million in Great British Energy support already provided to all Mayoral Combined Authorities in England to help local services save on bills with 157 new rooftop solar projects now installed - from fire stations to leisure centres.
The Great British Energy support launched today includes:
- The £20 million Community Fund - offers grant funding to help community organisations across England, Wales and Northern Ireland to test, develop and build community-owned clean energy assets. Projects supported by this fund 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.
- The £5 million Partnerships Grant - a new scheme offering grant funding to help Local Authorities in England and community energy partners accelerate joint clean energy projects that will provide lasting local benefits.
- £1.8 million in Great British Energy funding for the Scottish Government to back community energy projects across Scotland, building on more than £10 million provided earlier this year. This will support Scotland’s existing community energy support schemes, under the Scottish Government’s CARES programme.
- Advice services – Great British Energy is also backing organisations that offer crucial advice to local groups on the development of community energy initiatives with up to £2.9 million support for advice services across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Great British Energy is also seeking information from investors to help size and scope its future products.
CEO of Community Energy England Dr Matt Vickers said:
“Community Energy England welcomes the GBE Community Fund as the first step in the £1bn investment in community and local energy in the Local Power Plan. This will enable community enterprises across the country to deliver projects which will reduce bills, create a more resilient and cleaner energy system and most importantly keep the benefits of energy in the communities where it’s generated.
“We’ve long advocated for the new Partnership Fund so councils and community enterprises can work together to transform places.”
ENDS
Case studies:
Scotland:
Huntly Development Trust is a charitable company established in 2009 to deliver positive outcomes for the community of Huntly and District, Aberdeenshire. They are involved in various wind projects across the local area, including a community-owned turbine as well as receiving a community benefit fund from two commercial wind projects.
The income they generate is having a huge impact across the local community. They recently opened Number 30, a multi-purpose community building in the town centre that is home to a cafe, cinema, co-working spaces and a Banking Hub. They have also bought and redeveloped another two disused buildings in the town centre, hosting a community bookshop as well as a travel hub which runs an eBike, minibus and car hire scheme.
As well as creating 26 good quality local jobs (14 FTE), Huntly Development Trust are playing an active role in the physical regeneration of their town centre.
Wales:
Awel Aman Tawe is a community energy charity based in South Wales, established in 1998.
They have developed both a community-owned wind farm as well as rolled out rooftop solar across over 90 sites - generating clean, cheap energy for homes, businesses, and public buildings whilst also providing many good quality local jobs.
With support from the Welsh Government for over a decade, they have established a low-carbon education programme in schools as well as a community electric transport scheme for vulnerable groups. They also run the local Hwb y Gors Hub, an arts and education hub that also houses their energy advice team.
The Great British Energy Community Fund will be available to help local communities across Wales and the UK to develop projects like this one. Communities in Wales can also access advice, support and funding through the Welsh Government Energy Service's programme.
Northern Ireland:
Drumlin Wind Energy Co-operative is a community-owned renewable energy project that owns and operates six wind turbines across Northern Ireland, generating clean electricity while keeping the benefits of renewable energy in local communities.
Established in 2012 and funded through almost £4million of community investment, the co-operative provides returns to members, supports local projects and delivers its own BREESI education initiative in schools through its substantial community benefit fund.
Drumlin continues to share its expertise with other local communities through its role in the Community Energy Northern Ireland (CENI) network, helping groups to develop their own energy projects and tackle challenges such as high energy costs, fuel poverty, limited public services and rural isolation.
With Great British Energy support, sites like Drumlin can continue to help develop more community-led clean energy schemes across Northern Ireland in the future.
England:
Great British Energy’s CEO Dan McGrail met with Grimsby Community Energy on 25 June. As a community benefit society, they received £99,000 from the GBE Community Fund through funding allocated via the Net Zero Hubs. This money has been used to develop and install a battery storage project to complement existing renewable energy at the CATCH engineering training centre in Grimsby. This is helping to lower energy bills whilst generating profits that are reinvested back into local people and community organisations.
The project demonstrates the significant impact that early-stage funding can have in unlocking community energy schemes. By building local expertise and confidence, the programme creates the foundations for a growing pipeline of community-owned renewable energy projects.
As Great British Energy scales up its support for community energy, Local Net Zero Hubs will help more towns, villages and neighbourhoods replicate successes such as Grimsby's.
Mayoral Renewables Fund
Completed renewable energy projects installed on public services across Mayoral Strategic Authorities, backed by the Great British Energy Mayoral Renewables Fund.
North East:
North East Combined Authority – up to £1.2 million awarded
- Barmston Village Primary School
- Castletown Primary School
- Easington Lane Primary School
- Grangetown Primary School
- Grange Park Primary
- Hudson Road Primary School
- Hylton Red House Nursery School
- Marlborough Primary School
- Lambton Primary
- Southwick Primary School
- The Link School
- Wessington Primary School
- Willow Wood Primary School
- Belford Primary School
- Choppington Primary School
- Horton Grange Primary
- New Delaval Primary School
- Hillcrest School
- Linton Primary School
- Kielder Primary School
- Stead Lane First School
- Seahouses Primary School
- Middlesfield Depot
York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority – up to £1.08 million awarded
- Whitby Leisure Centre
- Thirsk & Sowerby Leisure Centre
- York Fire Station
- Jack Laugher Leisure Centre
- Athena House
- Eastfields Local Police Office
- Transport and Logistics Thirsk
- Yearsley Pool
- Joseph Rowntree School
- Pine Trees Adult Care Centre
- St Mary's C of E Primary School
- Elvington C of E Primary School
- Selby Fire Station
- North Yorkshire Police and Fire Joint Headquarters
- Knavesmire Pavilion
- Whitby Maritime Hub
West Yorkshire Combined Authority – up to £1.4 million awarded
- Stainbeck Police Station
- Pudsey Police Station
- South Parade Primary School
- ARIUM Leeds
- Lotherton Hall
- Bowling Pool and Sports Centre
- Sedbergh Sports Centre
- Princess Mary Athletics Stadium
- Bradley Park Golf Course
- Ilkley Pool and Leisure Centre
- Dartmouth Park Depot
- Cross Flatts Park Depot
- Golden Acre Park Depot
- Civic Centre
- Ainleys Depot
- Burley Park Depot
- Garforth Rec Depot
- Cottingley Crematorium
- Rawdon Crematorium
South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority: up to £572,000 awarded
- Hatchell Wood School
- The Hayfield School
- Central Family Hub
- Stainforth Family Hub
- Cantley Pavillion
- Rotherham Outdoor Covered Market
- Rotherham Central Library
Tees Valley Combined Authority: up to £1.1 million awarded
- Tofts Farm Depot
- Dormanstown Depot
- Highlight Active Wellbeing Hub
- Fountain Court Council Services
- Guisborough Forest Walkway Visitor Centre
- South Tees Business Centre and Council Offices
- Duncan Place Library and Community Centre
- Inspire 2 Learn Training Centre and Council Offices
- Jervaulx Care Home Assisted Living Facility
- Skelton Youth and Community Centre
- Ormesby Library
- Green Gates Family Hub
- Allensway Centre
- Lanark Close Adult Respite
Hull and East Yorkshire Combined Authority: up to £1.4 million awarded
- Stockholm Road Depot
- Lemon Tree Children's Centre
- Ings Customer Resource Centre/Library
- East Riding Leisure Francis Scaife
- East Riding Leisure Hornsea
- East Riding Leisure Bridlington
- Beverley Depot
- Champney Treasure House
- East Riding Leisure Beverley
- East Riding Leisure Driffield
- Carnaby Depot
- Raise Business Centre
North West:
Liverpool City Region Combined Authority: up to £1.2 million awarded
- Frank Myler Pavilion
- St Lukes Care Home
- St Patrick’s Care Home
- Meadows Leisure Centre
- Nutgrove Villa
- Brookfield Elderly Persons Homes
- Seacombe Children’s Centre
- Dunes Leisure Centre
- Crosby Lakeside Adventure Centre
- Hardshaw Brook Depot
- Cleveland Street Transport Depot
- Garston Leisure Centre
Great Manchester Combined Authority: up to £1.4 million awarded
- Winton Nursery Centre
- Guild Hall Community Centre
- Belvedere Early Years Centre
- Buile Hill Banqueting Suite
- Riverview Primary School
- Salford Sports Village
- Worsley Leisure Centre
- Brinnington Life Centre
- Bury Police Head Quarters
- Wigan Fire Station
- Bowlee Park Community Primary School
- Derby Street Children’s Centre
- Cedar Mount Academy
- Rushbrook Primary Academy
- Acre Hall Primary School
- Stanley Grove Primary Academy
- The Orchards
- Altrincham Grammar School for Girls Main Buildings
- Green Courts Sports Hall
- Elmridge Primary School
Midlands:
- West Midlands Combined Authority: up to £1.3 million awarded
- Coventry College North
- Coventry College South
- Sidney Stringer Academy Main
- Sidney Stringer Primary Academy
- Bloxwich Active Living Centre
East Midlands Combined Authority: up to £971,000 awarded
- Rushcliffe Arena
Great Lincolnshire Combined Authority: up to £191,000 awarded
- Axholme North Leisure Centre
- Louth Fire and Ambulance Station
South West:
- West of England Combined Authority: up to £700,000 awarded
- St Keyna Primary School
- Avonmouth C of E School and Nursery
- Stockwood Children's Centre
- Whitehall Primary School
- Kingweston Special School
- M Shed Museum
- New Horizons Secondary
South East:
Greater London Authority: up to £834,000 awarded
- West Grove School
- Southville Primary School
- Surbiton Hill Nursery School
- Maple Infants School
- Cubitt Town Primary School
- Mary Paterson Nursery School
- Richard Atkins Primary School
- St Raphael's Family Wellbeing Centre
- Preston Park Family Wellbeing Centre
- St Ann's School SEN
- John Perryn Primary School
- North Primary School
- Grove House Nursery
- Wendell Park Primary School
- Harrow Arts Centre
- Harrow Hub
- Feltham Hill Infant & Nursery School
- Beavers Primary School
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority: up to £700,000 awarded
- Cambridgeshire Constabulary Headquarters