Policy & campaigns
We inform politicians, national and local government officials, network operators & regulators, of community energy’s benefits, needs, opportunities and policy obstacles.
We ensure that community energy organisations can create and implement innovative new projects and play an active and important role in the transition to a fair, zero-carbon energy system.
But we can’t do it without help! We need you to continue to engage with your MPs as community energy champions, share your practitioner expertise to inform policy change and help us bring pressure to bear.
Policy priorities
We make sure decision makers know what the community energy sector needs in order to thrive. You can read more about our proposals for funding, growth, routes to market, shared ownership, grid connections, capacity building and other supporting policies on our policy priorities page.
Current consultations
CEE regularly responds to consultations to promote a policy environment that will enable the sector to thrive. We often encourage members to input into our consultation responses or to submit their own.
-
Feed-in Tariffs (FiT) scheme: indexation changes
DESNZ
Deadline: 12 December 2025
The UK government is proposing changing the inflation indexation calculation for the Renewables Obligation (RO) and Feed-in Tariffs (FiT) schemes, from the Retail Price Index (RPI) to the Consumer Price Index (CPI):
- for the Renewables Obligation (RO) scheme, the inflation indexation calculation for the buy-out price would change from RPI to CPI
- for the Feed-in Tariffs (FiT) scheme, the annual tariff adjustment calculation would change from RPI to CPI
The indexation change would come into effect in April 2026 and would affect all UK generators on the RO and FiT schemes.
Changes to inflation indexation would lower the annual subsidy uplifts for generators and reduce the cost of these schemes for UK consumers.
-
Renewables Obligation (RO) scheme: indexation changes
DESNZ
Deadline: 28 November 2025
The UK government is proposing changing the inflation indexation calculation for the Renewables Obligation (RO) and Feed-in Tariffs (FiT) schemes, from the Retail Price Index (RPI) to the Consumer Price Index (CPI):
- for the Renewables Obligation (RO) scheme, the inflation indexation calculation for the buy-out price would change from RPI to CPI
- for the Feed-in Tariffs (FiT) scheme, the annual tariff adjustment calculation would change from RPI to CPI
The indexation change would come into effect in April 2026 and would affect all UK generators on the RO and FiT schemes.
Changes to inflation indexation would lower the annual subsidy uplifts for generators and reduce the cost of these schemes for UK consumers.
-
Continuing the Warm Home Discount Scheme
Department of Energy Security and Net Zero
Deadline: 20 November 2025
DESNZ is consulting on the continuation of the Warm Homes Discount Scheme, which supports around 6 million households, for winter 2026 to 2027, and into the next scheme period, after current regulations expire on 31 March 2026.
This consultation sets out the government’s proposals for the new scheme period and is gathering feedback from stakeholders on:
- the design of the core elements of the scheme
- options for the next scheme period in Scotland
- proposals to change the administration of the scheme
- a call for evidence on Industry Initiatives
- a call for suggestions for future improvements during the next scheme period
They are seeking views particularly from energy suppliers, Warm Home Discount recipients, and consumer groups and charities with an interest in fuel poverty to inform the design of the new scheme period from winter 2026 to 2027.
Policy responses
The policy responses we have submitted and our position on subjects that are receiving the attention of legislators
-
CEE Budget Representation [October 2025]
CEE submitted a representation to the Treasury ahead of the Autumn Budget. We made the case for prioritising capital and development funding for community-led initiatives instead of directly funding local energy projects without community involvement.
-
Consumer-led Flexibility Consultation Response [September 2025]
CEE argued that community energy should be supported to be at the heart of engaging citizens to participate in flexibility
Working groups
Energy Efficiency
The group provides thought leadership, knowledge-sharing and best practice, helping to drive funding and resources to the sector and shape our advocacy to government.
Low Carbon Heat
A forum for people to share knowledge, technical solutions, financial models and engagement methods for community heat projects.
Ethical Sourcing
Forced labour within solar supply chains is a serious issue for the net zero transition. This group aims to source reliable information for members and to campaign for ethical sourcing across the solar sector.
Experienced Practitioners
This limited membership group provides a space to discuss the opportunities and challenges associated with running larger community energy organisations.
Campaign tools
Help community energy to thrive
Our members are key to our advocacy. You know what you need, you have the expertise as practitioners, and you each have democratic representatives we can call upon.
Contact your MP
Adapt our sample letter and tag your MP on social media. The more MPs hear about the work community energy does in their local area, the more political support for the sector will grow.
Make your MP a community energy champion
MPs only respond to people and projects in their constituencies. So we are asking community energy practitioners and organisations to connect with and make an ally of your MP.
Organise a site visit
Use our guide to get local MPs, councillors and other decision makers to visit your organisation’s projects and help create more influential community energy champions.