Written by Matthew Clayton, Managing Director, Thrive Renewables The UK welcomed a Labour Government last week and one positive thing to come out of its election manifesto was the increased support for local energy generation, ensuring communities benefit directly from renewable projects in their area. As well as its aims to double onshore wind, triple […]
Labour’s energy team have hit the ground running with a flurry of announcements aimed at scaling up renewable energy. There is plenty for the community energy sector to feel positive about. However, with the Treasury indicating that big savings on expenditure may be needed, community energy will need to keep up the pressure to make […]
The government has set out its policy agenda in the first King’s Speech under new Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Climate action had a prominent place in the speech, with Labour restating its commitment to a clean energy transition and setting out plans to establish GB Energy, a publicly owned clean energy company with a remit […]
Angela Terry, CEO of environmental education charity One Home Climate Solutions, makes the case for community groups playing a greater role in tackling climate change and sets out top tips for cutting carbon. “Hope is taking action. Hope comes from the people.” These words from Greta Thunberg shine a light on the power of local action and […]
On 4 July the people elected a government with real plans to turbocharge community energy. One of the new government’s flagship climate policies, their Local Power Plan, pledges up to £400m a year in low interest loans to communities to develop and build community-owned projects, alongside £600m a year in grants to local authorities. The Labour […]
This Community Energy Fortnight, Essex County Council (ECC) is championing Community Energy Groups across the county and encouraging residents who are interested to join or start their own local energy group. To combat climate change, ECC is committed to finding effective and innovative strategies to reduce emissions, promote renewable energy sources, and engage residents to […]
This Community Energy Fortnight, Di Gerry, Senior Corporate Finance Manager at Triodos Bank UK, shares her top tips for community groups on securing funding for their energy projects. An absence of government subsidies and a limited availability of grants – together with higher interest rates that have driven up the cost of borrowing – has […]
Our current energy system is changing because the old approach is no longer fit to meet the challenges of climate change, to embed energy security (clearly highlighted by conflicts such as the war in Ukraine) and to create a system that doesn’t regard high levels of fuel poverty as an inevitable consequence of normal business […]
UK Power Networks has pledged £1 million to help community energy groups scale up their Net Zero programmes. Working alongside Community Energy South (CES), the new funding will help up to 20 community organisations and charities support those who are at risk of falling behind in the Net Zero transition. The announcement comes ahead of Community Energy Fortnight (1-14 […]
Welcome to Community Energy Fortnight 2024! This year, from 1 July 1st to 14 July, we’re embarking on an exciting journey to empower communities across the UK in the realm of community energy. Community Energy Fortnight (CEF) isn’t just an event; it’s a movement that brings together thousands of individuals, showcasing the power of community-driven […]
The All Party Parliamentary Group for Community Energy held an event entitiled Empowering Community Energy, in the largest meeting room in parliament which was packed with 150 people. At least as many people failed to gain entry. The extraordinary enthusiasm for this event was noted and will be fed up to the top of government […]
Launching on 7 February 2024 is a new all-member online forum. CEE has a range of members beyond community energy organisations, including companies providing services to the sector, such as installers, solicitors, and PPA providers, local authorities at various levels, and NGOs who support the community energy sector and broader community and co-operative sectors. These […]
