Grant News

The UK Government has announced up to £1 billion in investment to expand community-owned clean energy through its new Local Power Plan. The programme will be delivered by Great British Energy, in partnership with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.

The £1 billion allocation will be distributed through a mix of:

• direct funding - investing up to £1 billion in community energy groups, and local authorities including via grants and loans.
• capability building 
• business model development
• regulatory changes

The funding will help communities develop and manage their own clean energy schemes, from feasibility through to development, and construction stages. Projects might include installing solar panels on schools and community buildings, small-scale onshore wind turbines, local hydro schemes, and other low-carbon technologies.

The programme aims to support around 1,000 locally owned projects by 2030, helping to reduce energy bills and generate income for communities. Grants will be targeted at underserved areas or where there has historically been low take up of community energy. 

Community energy organisations, local authorities, and not-for-profit organisations are expected to be eligible to apply. Partnerships between community groups and councils are encouraged.

Further details are expected when the fund launches later in 2026.