We work to make politicians, national and local government officials, network operators & regulators, aware of community energy benefits, needs, opportunities and policy obstacles to 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.
What we are doing:
For more information on the policy and campaigning work we are doing use the links in the sidebar menu to see current consultations, policy responses and recommendations to government and current work.
The Labour government has pledged that the Great British Energy ‘Local Power Plan’ published autumn 2025, will deliver “the biggest expansion of support for community energy in history”. We are working closely with all stakeholders to ensure that policy is developed and implemented in the best possible way. Minister Michael Shanks acknowledged at our autumn conference that the funding this year may not have been what we had hoped for but promised that once Great British Energy (GBE)is up and running it will be a central priority. He encouraged us to push the government “to go further and faster” - which we do all the time.
Current work priorities include:
- Getting more development funding this year and publicising alternative sources of funding (see our Funding Page).
- Ensuring the Local Power Plan and GBE’s strategic plan has community energy at its heart.
- Working to open up local energy markets and local supply, via the Elexon P441 modification.
- Getting new policy such as the Warm Homes Plan has community energy built in and collaboration with community energy is built into relevant policy, guidance and funding across government.
- Getting Shared Ownership progressed as well and fast as possible.
- Getting the Energy Redress ‘Main Fund’ opened up to community businesses.
- Getting community energy ‘designated’ as eligible for priority access to the grid under NESO’s connection reform.
(updated September 2025)
How to play your part:
We have engaged with many of you to support us with information or to represent us with your expertise on taskforces and councils. Thank you to all who have helped in any way (including responding to the State of the Sector Survey).
Responding to calls for evidence/consultations is important and time-consuming work. We will ask you to contribute your expertise and views from time to time and to respond directly on behalf of your organisation.
More than half the House of Commons are new MPs. Many Labour MPs are supportive of community energy because it was a noticeable part of the election campaign but may not know much about it. Please try and turn your MP (of whatever party) into an enthusiast and champion for community energy. See our Harnessing your MP resources and template letter.
We will continue to do our best to make it easy for you to play your part. For more information or guidance see our current resources: