The Energy Learning Network is powering forward community energy projects across the UK – helping more groups launch or grow schemes that decarbonise the grid, and create instant benefits for local people.
The network will bring free insights, resources and connections to existing community energy groups, as well as other groups looking to become involved in local energy projects for the first time. It will create mentoring and peer learning opportunities too.
The Energy Learning Network is a collaboration between Community Energy England and the climate solutions charity Ashden, the Centre for Sustainable Energy, and leading community energy bodies in the other UK nations: Community Energy Scotland, Community Energy Wales, and Northern Ireland’s Action Renewables. This new partnership is made possible thanks to four years of funding, totaling £1.5 million from the Climate Action Fund - a £100 million commitment from The National Lottery Community Fund to support communities across the UK to take action on climate change and involve more people in climate action.
Why charge up community energy?
Community energy projects give local people the chance to own or control clean power generation, and work with their neighbours to lower bills and reduce energy demand too. Schemes in the UK already generate 617 GWh of clean energy – enough to power more than 220,000 homes – and have supported householders to make annual savings of nearly £4.5million.
By bringing together leading organisations to tackle barriers and gaps in support, the network will unlock more of the sector’s potential – and help more communities enjoy the benefits of clean energy.
What is Community Energy England's role?
As the lead body representing Community Energy organisations in England, our role is to underpin a more rapid and just transition to Net Zero by supporting new and existing community driven energy projects to maximise and scale their impact.
We will achieve this through the following approaches:
- Enhancing our online resources to accelerate learning and knowledge sharing, about both the current viable technologies and business models, as well as how to run an effective social enterprise.
- Curating a programme of events and webinars to support capacity building with our members and across the sector, to match the level of national ambition for community energy.
- Create an enabling environment for community energy to flourish by using insights from our State of the Sector reports to identify and address barriers; and by making strategic partnerships with other national institutions and organisations.
CEE Chief Executive, Emma Bridge says: “The Energy Learning Network will have a vital role to play in supporting the growth of community energy right across the UK. It will also help to amplify the amazing work already being done by communities to develop energy projects and services that generate so much more value than simply renewable energy. This is an exciting time to be part of the community energy movement and I can’t wait to work with our partners and members to further grow the sector and its impact.”
To find out more about Community Energy England's role in the Energy Learning Network please contact John Taylor.
