News & insights - Page 2
16 October 2025
The Coal Beneath our Feet, the Wind Above our Heads - a new film
A new film charts the story of coal, the end of mining, the workers buy out of Tower Colliery & moves on to the new energy of the future through the eyes of two valleys teenagers. It explores questions about how we avoid making the mistakes of the past, how we can build on our […]
1 October 2025
Event recap: Labour Party Conference fringe event: Warm Homes? How Co-ops Can Retrofit Britain
CEE team member Josef Davies-Coates represented Community Energy England on the panel of their Labour Party Conference fringe event: Warm Homes? How Co-ops Can Retrofit Britain (& the launch of their Retrofit co-operatives: A report for policy makers). Here he reflects on his experience: The panel was chaired by Rose Marley and I was pleased […]
17 September 2025
Community energy front and centre of GBE's strategic priorities
On Tuesday 16 September the Energy Secretary, Ed Miliband, issued the Statement of Strategic Priorities for Great British Energy. The section on Local and community energy is quoted below. “GBE’s role in the Local Power Plan will ensure the benefits of the clean energy transition flow back to the UK public, driving a significant increase in […]
23 July 2025
People Powered: How Communities Can Fund and Sell Their Own Power
Written by Susie Leppard, Head of Renewables at OVO At OVO, we believe community energy has a critical role to play in the net zero transition – not just in generating clean power, but in building public trust, engaging people in the journey, and ensuring the benefits of decarbonisation are shared fairly. Through our work setting […]
9 July 2025
Community energy: a shared vision
By Triodos Bank UK and Thrive Renewables At a time when the climate emergency demands urgent action, community energy offers a powerful, people-led solution. It’s about more than just generating clean electricity – it’s about empowering local communities, creating fairer systems, and ensuring the benefits of a cleaner, greener energy system are shared by all. […]
2 July 2025
Why funding solutions for community energy are crucial for a cleaner, fairer future
Written by Lisa Ashford, CEO of Ethex As we mark this year’s Community Energy Fortnight, I’m filled with hope and urgency. Hope—because I know that the UK’s community energy sector is brimming with potential. Urgency—because unlocking that potential hinges on getting the right funding and support in place now. Community energy is no longer a […]
11 June 2025
Spending review delivers significant investment for GB Energy and the Warm Homes Plan
Today’s Spending Review demonstrated that the government is willing to fund substantial investment in net zero. The detail of the plans and policies that will follow over the coming months must ensure that the money delivers maximum impact for communities. The Chancellor announced that the manifesto commitment for a £13.2bn Warm Homes Plan, a key […]
15 May 2025
CEE statement as GB Energy Act gains royal assent
Energy Minister with responsibility for GB Energy, Michael Shanks, addresses Parliament
2 April 2025
Message from our Chief Executive about key changes at CEE
We have some important updates to share with our members. At the end of March, Helen Seagrave stepped down as Chair of CEE to take on an exciting new role at GB Energy, where she will continue to work with the sector. Reflecting on her time with CEE, Helen shared: “Being part of CEE for […]
26 March 2025
Funding boost for Community Energy, but more is needed
Since the election in July we have been advocating to ministers and civil servants for a seamless transition from the Community Energy Fund to the Local Power Plan that enables continued growth. On Friday, the government announced £5m of new funding for the Community Energy Fund (CEF), now rebranded as the Great British Energy Community Fund. […]
21 March 2025
Community Energy England highlights missed opportunities in welcome government funding for solar on schools and hospitals
The government has announced £180m in capital grants for rooftop solar projects on around 200 schools and 200 NHS sites. It has also extended the Community Energy Fund with an additional £5m of funding. (This is part of the ‘nearly £12 million to help build local clean energy projects’). For more details, see the government’s press […]
12 March 2025
CEE response to speculation on cuts to GB Energy budget
You may be aware that some newspapers have reported that the Treasury is considering making cuts to budgets in Great British Energy, including to local energy projects. These stories are not necessarily indicative of the views of most government and Treasury ministers and officials, as shown in a quote attributed to a government spokesperson carried in the Guardian: […]
