Power to the People: The Community Energy Revolution in England
How the government’s landmark Local Power Plan — and the communities already leading the way — are transforming who owns and benefits from clean energy.
Nature and Climate Network
We are planning to hold a facilitated event about Community Energy this Autumn 2026.
If you would like to be involved with this, or added to our mailing list please complete our Contact Form
We are planning to hold a facilitated event about Community Energy this Autumn 2026.
If you would like to be involved with this, or added to our mailing list please complete our Contact Form
For decades, energy has been something that happened to people — generated far away, delivered through pipes and wires, billed by distant corporations. Community energy turns that model on its head. When a village hall installs solar panels through a community co-operative, or a town raises funds to build a wind turbine on local farmland, they aren’t just cutting carbon. They are building wealth that stays local, creating jobs, and giving residents a genuine stake in the future.
The Local Power Plan: A Historic Commitment
In February 2026, the UK government and Great British Energy (GBE) published the Local Power Plan — described by Energy Secretary Ed Miliband as “the biggest public investment in community energy in this country’s history.”
Key Points of the Local Power Plan
Funding
Up to £1 billion from Great British Energy to support locally-owned clean energy projects — solar on libraries, leisure centres, schools and community buildings.
1,000 projects
An initial target of 1,000 clean energy projects, led by communities or local government.
Removing barriers
Addressing funding, finance, planning, grid connection and capacity challenges that have held the sector back.
Shared ownership
Developing proposals to mandate shared ownership offers for large-scale renewables, so communities can buy shares in nearby projects.
Policy reform
DESNZ working with Ofgem, NESO and others to unlock structural barriers, including grid access and small-scale tariff reform.
Community Toolkit
A Community Energy Toolkit launching Summer 2026 to provide practical guidance for groups starting out.
Ambition by 2030
Every community in England to have an opportunity to own or be involved in a local energy project by 2030.
Funding
Up to £1 billion from Great British Energy to support locally-owned clean energy projects — solar on libraries, leisure centres, schools and community buildings.
1,000 projects
An initial target of 1,000 clean energy projects, led by communities or local government.
Removing barriers
Addressing funding, finance, planning, grid connection and capacity challenges that have held the sector back.
Shared ownership
Developing proposals to mandate shared ownership offers for large-scale renewables, so communities can buy shares in nearby projects.
Policy reform
DESNZ working with Ofgem, NESO and others to unlock structural barriers, including grid access and small-scale tariff reform.
Community Toolkit
A Community Energy Toolkit launching Summer 2026 to provide practical guidance for groups starting out.
Ambition by 2030
Every community in England to have an opportunity to own or be involved in a local energy project by 2030.
“Ownership is a transformative tool to build the wealth of local areas — giving people a stake in the places they live and generating pride, respect and local prosperity that can’t be dismantled.”
— Ed Miliband, Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero
The Plan draws inspiration from other countries where community ownership is already the norm: more than half of wind energy in Denmark and half of solar in Germany is citizen-owned. England has enormous untapped potential. The Local Power Plan is the government’s commitment to catching up.
What This Means for Local Communities
Community energy delivers far more than cheaper electricity. Revenues stay local — funding grants, supporting fuel-poor households and returning interest to members. Research shows participants report greater community pride and social cohesion. In a co-operative, every member has an equal vote; residents shape decisions and share the profits. Westmill Wind and Solar in Oxfordshire — just over the border from West Berkshire — have donated over £1 million in community grants since 2008, funding everything from mental health charities to school visits.
Inspiring Projects Close to Home
OXFORDSHIRE Westmill Wind & Solar Co-operatives, Watchfield
The first 100% community-owned onshore wind farm and first community solar park in southern England, near Swindon. A share offer raised £4.6M from 2,400 members; today 3,000+ members share revenues and grants that reach communities within 25 miles — including much of West Berkshire.
↗ westmillsolar.coop
The first 100% community-owned onshore wind farm and first community solar park in southern England, near Swindon. A share offer raised £4.6M from 2,400 members; today 3,000+ members share revenues and grants that reach communities within 25 miles — including much of West Berkshire.
↗ westmillsolar.coop
WEST OXFORDSHIRE Southill Solar Community Project, Charlbury
A 4.5MW co-operative solar farm outside Charlbury, generating enough to supply most of the town’s electricity needs. Non-profit surpluses fund around £30,000 per year in grants to environmental projects within 25 miles.
A 4.5MW co-operative solar farm outside Charlbury, generating enough to supply most of the town’s electricity needs. Non-profit surpluses fund around £30,000 per year in grants to environmental projects within 25 miles.
Expert Support: The Centre for Sustainable Energy
The Centre for Sustainable Energy (CSE) is a Bristol-based charity and one of England’s leading independent experts in community energy. Their services for local groups include:
Centre for Sustainable Energy • cse.org.uk
Community Energy Go!
Free expert advice and hands-on support for groups across England at any stage of developing a renewable energy project. Partnership with Ashden and Community Energy England.
https://www.communityenergygo.org.uk
Future Energy Landscapes
CSE’s community workshop methodology for shaping local renewable planning before developers arrive — with a free downloadable toolkit.
https://www.cse.org.uk/my-community/future-energy-landscapes/
Energy advice & fuel poverty
Free household energy advice, securing over £25M in annual savings for clients. Support for community buildings, retrofit and funding applications.
Centre for Sustainable Energy • cse.org.uk
Community Energy Go!
Free expert advice and hands-on support for groups across England at any stage of developing a renewable energy project. Partnership with Ashden and Community Energy England.
https://www.communityenergygo.org.uk
Future Energy Landscapes
CSE’s community workshop methodology for shaping local renewable planning before developers arrive — with a free downloadable toolkit.
https://www.cse.org.uk/my-community/future-energy-landscapes/
Energy advice & fuel poverty
Free household energy advice, securing over £25M in annual savings for clients. Support for community buildings, retrofit and funding applications.
Future Energy Landscapes
What is Future Energy Landscapes?
Future Energy Landscapes (FEL) runs deliberate community workshops before any planning application, giving residents genuine agency over what renewables they’d accept in their landscape. Results across southern England have been striking:
Workshops from £1,600+VAT (online) or £3,500+VAT (in-person).
Free toolkit available at cse.org.uk/resource/future-energy-landscapes-guidance
Future Energy Landscapes (FEL) runs deliberate community workshops before any planning application, giving residents genuine agency over what renewables they’d accept in their landscape. Results across southern England have been striking:
Workshops from £1,600+VAT (online) or £3,500+VAT (in-person).
Free toolkit available at cse.org.uk/resource/future-energy-landscapes-guidance
The energy transition is coming regardless. The question is whether local communities will be passengers — or owners. With unprecedented funding, proven models just down the road, and expert support freely available, West Berkshire has every opportunity to shape its own energy future.
“Community-owned energy is already the norm in other countries. More than half of wind in Denmark and half of solar in Germany is citizen-owned. The Local Power Plan is how we turn this around for Britain.”
— Local Power Plan, Great British Energy & DESNZ, February 2026
Nature and Climate Network
We are planning to hold a facilitated event about Community Energy this Autumn 2026.
If you would like to be involved with this, or added to our mailing list please complete our Contact Form
We are planning to hold a facilitated event about Community Energy this Autumn 2026.
If you would like to be involved with this, or added to our mailing list please complete our Contact Form
Useful Links & Resources
- The Local Power Plan: gov.uk — full text of the February 2026 plan
- Centre for Sustainable Energy: cse.org.uk — community support, advice and research
- Future Energy Landscapes: cse.org.uk — free toolkit and workshop support
- Community Energy Go!: communityenergygo.org.uk — register for free expert support
- Community Energy England: communityenergyengland.org — national network and policy updates
- Westmill Solar Co-operative: westmillsolar.coop — community-owned solar near West Berkshire
- Great British Energy: gbe.gov.uk — the UK’s new publicly-owned energy company
Sources: GOV.UK Local Power Plan (February 2026); Great British Energy Strategic Plan 2025; Centre for Sustainable Energy (cse.org.uk); Community Energy England; Westmill Wind & Solar Co-operatives; West Berkshire Council. Article prepared May 2026
