CEE news
Community Energy Fortnight 2026 launches with a call to Up the Energy
Community Energy EnglandCommunity Energy Fortnight 2026 officially launches today, kicking off two weeks of events from 1 – 14 July with activities and inspiring stories that celebrate the growing power of community-led energy across the UK.
Communities, local organisations and partners across the UK will showcase how community energy strengthens local economies, reduces energy costs, gives people greater control over the energy they use and tackles the climate crisis.
This year’s Fortnight comes at a pivotal moment for the sector. The Government’s commitment to invest £1 billion through the Local Power Plan marks a historic opportunity for community energy. Community Energy England helped shape that vision, and now our attention turns to ensuring communities have the support they need to deliver it.
The Fortnight reflects growing recognition that place-based approaches are essential to tackling climate change. Community organisations across the country will host open days, workshops, site visits, talks and community events, alongside a programme of online activities that showcase successful projects and encourage more communities to get involved.
This year’s Community Energy Fortnight is supported by SP Energy Networks, Thrive Renewables and Ethex, whose commitment is helping strengthen and grow the UK’s community energy movement.
As well as the Fortnight, Community Energy England is working with a range of partners on the Up the Energy campaign. More than 250 organisations signed an open letter to the Government before a launch event in Westminster earlier this year. Later this year, the campaign takes to the road, to demonstrate what’s possible when communities own and lead the transition to clean energy,
Matt Vickers, Chief Executive of Community Energy England, said:
Community Energy Fortnight is about showing what’s possible when communities control and shape their own energy future. Across the UK, local people are already delivering cleaner, fairer and more resilient energy systems, and our Up the Energy campaign is helping more communities see how they can do the same.
“A parliamentary committee report last week recognised the role community energy can play in turbo charging the energy transition. It echoed the Up the Energy call to urgently remove the barriers that hold communities back and looked to hold the Government to account in matching ambition and action. We can unlock more locally owned energy projects, give more people a stake in Britain’s energy future, and build a cleaner, more secure energy system from the ground up.”
To find out more about Community Energy Fortnight, access Up the Energy campaign resources or see what’s happening near you, visit: