Community Energy England today says in a statement that it believes the party’s plans published yesterday “have the potential to transform Britain’s energy system through local action on climate which benefits local people”.

Labour’s promises unveiled yesterday back the party’s earlier pledges towards local energy. They include making targeted energy grants to local authorities from a £600 million pot, and low interest loans made direct to community groups from a pool of £400 million.

The party’s manifesto for 4 July declares “Local power generation is an essential part of the energy mix and reduces pressures on the transmission grid. Labour will deploy more distributed production capacity through our Local Power Plan. Great British Energy will partner with energy companies, local authorities, and co-operatives to install thousands of clean power projects, through a combination of onshore wind, solar, and hydropower projects.

“We will invite communities to come forward with projects, and work with local leaders and devolved governments to ensure local people benefit directly from this energy production.”

In its statement Community Energy England endorses probable energy secretary Ed Miliband’s view that such backing can “kick-start thousands of transformational local energy project”.

“Labour’s Local Power Plan offers grants for local authorities and low interest loans for community energy organisations to do new local, community-led and owned clean energy projects“, the CEE’s statement says.

“Over five years, this could deliver 8 gigawatts of solar and onshore wind – the equivalent of 2.5 nuclear power stations – enough to power 4.35 million homes”.

CEE chief executive Emma Bridge went on, “We welcome the Labour manifesto’s plan to grow our fantastic community energy sector and unlock huge benefits for local people.

“Community energy projects deliver 12 to 13 times the benefit of commercial energy installations. So they are uniquely suited to engage local people to participate in the energy transformation. Labour’s Local Power Plan is a win, win, win for communities, local economies and the country,” said Bridge

In 2021, the Environmental Audit Committee advised the government that “due to the urgency of the climate crisis and the vital roles communities will have to play in reaching net zero, it is essential… to support the long-term growth of community energy across the UK.” Chris Skidmore MP in his Review of the Government’s Net Zero Policies recommended that the government “turbocharge community energy.”

“The Labour manifesto and their Local Power Plan demonstrate that the party understands that empowering people and communities to take local climate action, which will also benefit local people, is essential to achieving net zero.

“We are pleased to see real backing for community energy in the Liberal Democrat and Green manifestos too”, noted Bridge.

“All parties with plans to meet the scale of the climate challenge share the consensus that community energy is crucial for any serious climate policy programme.

“We are disappointed that the Conservative manifesto, despite stretching to 80 pages, does not mention community energy at all. The Conservatives’ manifesto doubles down on commitments to invest more in fossil fuels, including new gas power stations, while continuing to block renewable energy developments”.

Bridge says restrictions on new onshore wind turbines have effectively stopped new ones being built in England, with just a handful of new turbines being built per year.  The Conservatives’ programme as set out in its manifesto would slow down progress towards net zero and cement our dependence on fossil fuels for years to come”.

Personal voting intentions differ among CEE officials, as influenced by the parties’ varying stances in relation to the burgeoning co-operative sector.

This week CEE policy manager Duncan Law shared with a public meeting of south London co-op SE24 Community Energy his intention to vote Green, due to their support for local, accountable actions in response to the climate emergency.

Former Conservative energy minister Chris Skidmore last week told a London solar conference that he was ‘politically homeless’, after he resigned his Bristol seat last year in disappointment at the Sunak’s administration’s foot-dragging over green issues.   The West County former MP told delegates that the future of energy is local, citing the achievements of co-ops such as Bath and West Community Energy.

Outside the activities of its volunteer-run co-operatives, today’s CEE statement welcomes Labour’s pledge to double onshore wind capacity by 2030. It notes that new onshore turbines in England have been held back since David Cameron’s Conservatives introduced a de facto ban nine years ago.

Interest declared:  The present author has for several years invested in and volunteered for several community energy co-ops across London and the South East.

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Working with Lewes-based prize-winning co-operative Community Energy South (CES), the money from UK Power Networks will help as many as 20 community organisations & charities with grants of at least £50,000 in support of bill-payers in peril of falling behind in the nation’s transition to Net Zero.

UKPN believes energy groups including co-operatives play a key role in supporting vulnerable customers. This work will put boots on the ground, helping pay for local jobs for local people, towards a goal of reaching 20,000 people and conducting over 1,200 in-person home visits.

An award-winning not-for-profit consultancy providing mentoring to speed growth in the community energy sector, Community Energy South (CES) has been awarded funds to enlist and support the participating groups in delivering the work. This partnership will be crucial in ensuring the right support is established in the right places across London, the East and South East of England.

Six community energy groups are already on board and working on plans to recruit and expand their energy advice services. More groups will be coming online for the second phase starting in September.

Suleman Alli, UKPN’s director of finance & customer service, said: “We’re extremely proud to be able to support the impactful work of community energy groups across the areas we serve. We hope this funding boost will make a meaningful difference to those in our community and provide our customers with support and guidance to ensure no one is left behind in the transition to Net Zero.”

CES will provide fully funded bespoke training for new recruits to become ‘energy champions’, now a sought-after career opportunity within the community energy sector.

One energy champion already working in the area said: “I enjoy visiting homes and meeting people and being able to help them with ideas on how they can improve their home and spend less money – and help the environment too. It’s a win win! The training gave me the knowledge and confidence to be able to go out to people’s homes and talk to them about saving energy. The support from the leaders and wider group has been brilliant for when something different crops up.”

CES chief executive Ollie Pendered said: “This is a groundbreaking moment for the community energy sector.

“The intrinsic value of all the hard work by thousands of volunteers across the country has been recognised, and through this campaign up to 20 community energy groups will have the opportunity to receive funding to create local job opportunities and deliver their energy saving campaigns within their communities. This is an extraordinary development and one we thank UK Power Networks for enabling.”

CES has previously worked with UKPN on their Energy Smart Communities  social venture, enabling infrastructure development to leave a lasting legacy which builds more resilient communities.

With a showcase project in the capital’s Leicester Square theatreland, Energy Smart Communities looks at innovative ways to develop community energy projects, raises awareness and provides support for those in fuel poverty and improves knowledge and skills in sustainable living through educational programmes with partners.

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Only one person in eight, or 13%, says their local communities are investing enough in becoming more sustainable.

The study quantifies growing public demand for more sustainable energy – allied to cleaner air in cities and greater investment in greener lifestyles.

23% of people flatly say they’d consider moving away if their city or town does not become greener.  That figure has risen by almost half from a similar nationwide E.ON survey from 2022, when 16% of people made the same claim.

In workplaces, 26% of people said they would be prepared to quit their job if the company didn’t become greener in the next five years, rising from 18% in 2022.

E.ON’s study of 10,000 people across Britain highlights widespread discontent at the speed investment programmes are being rolled out. 51% of respondents don’t think the country is working fast enough to reduce carbon emissions. Fewer than one in ten – 8% –  feel listened to on decisions around local green investments.

A meagre 8% –  up from 7% in 2022-  feel listened to when decisions are made about local green investments, including energy generation. That number falls to just 6% in the North, Wales, and across the Midlands.

Energy co-ops give local agency as well as power 

Only 10% of respondents expressed pride in their local communities’ efforts to invest in green initiatives. The lowest levels of pride are in the East Midlands, East of England, North East and North West.

Across the UK, 60% of adults want more say in how taxpayers’ money is invested in green initiatives for businesses and communities, peaking in the South of England & London, both on 63% and Scotland, 59%.

E.ON UK chief executive Chris Norbury observed: “This survey shows public attitudes & ambitions towards building more sustainable communities are growing year on year. It’s on all of us across business, public life and within our communities to respond to that clamour for change.

“Investing in sustainability brings so many social benefits and it’s something absolutely everyone can see the value of, whether that’s helping people with lower energy bills, cleaning the air in our streets, or creating the jobs and skills we need for the future. What we call the energy transition has benefits right across society and we have to share that message wider.

“While our study highlights frustration among the public around the speed and scale of sustainable investment, it also demonstrates people understand and really want the benefits such investment will bring. Chief among these is the positive impact on jobs and prosperity.”

74% of people agree environmental change starts with communities or businesses, yet two in five (39% – although a reduction from 46% in 2022 – ) do not think that their region is doing enough to reduce carbon emissions and make life greener.

Leading the way among potential home-movers, more than a third (34%) of Londoners threatening to move if their city doesn’t become greener in the next five to ten years.

The top five sustainable improvements people would like to see in their community emerge as :

• Making homes greener & cheaper to run – 55%
• Reducing public buildings’ carbon impact – 47%
• Create more green spaces in built up urban areas – 44%
• Make sure all new building projects are completed to Net Zero targets – 43%
• Electrify all public transport – 36%

Old and young generations agree. More than three quarters of all age groups say communities (76%) and businesses (77%) need to become greener for the benefit of younger generations.

People younger than 24 were twice as likely to cite the sustainability credentials of a business as a reason to work there; 43% versus 18% in the over 55s.  Youngsters were twice as likely to move companies if their employer did not take steps to go greener (42% versus 16%).

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Community-owned low carbon power thrives in much of continental Europe driven by helpful policies and political will, the report points out.  It praises Germany & Denmark; as half the latter’s wind generation capacity, it says, is in local control.

In contrast, growth in Britain’s community-owned energy – either volunteer-led or municipal – has fallen, from 81% in 2016-17 to just 2.4% in 2020-21, the report notes.

Community Energy England is now collecting data from around 400 groups for its annual ‘State of the Sector’ report, a key influencer read by civil servants, ministers and politicians.

Common Wealth notes that Labour is pledged to allocate up to £3.3 billion to the party’s Local Power Plan, with funds distributed to municipal, co-operative and community energy projects.

The think tank’s study outlines an ambitious agenda, describing how community renewables could help to win local support for new energy infrastructure, and give communities a genuine stake in the UK’s clean power future.

The report argues that Labour’s nationalised creation GB Energy should co-invest with municipal, co-operative and community-owned energy providers using a ‘public-common partnerships model’, in which local accountability is coupled with wider public coordination of the energy transition.

Arguing against the report’s advocacy of municipal electricity and gas are costly failures, such as Bristol Energy, dead in 2021 owing £36 million to municipal taxpayers, and Nottingham’s Robin Hood Energy. The latter collapsed after five years in 2020, with debts of £34 million.  Nottingham City Council’s £16 million exposure contributed, critics argue, to the authority’s ‘effective’ bankruptcy three years later, last November.  I

Mimicking the design of Joe Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, the Common Wealth report argues Labour’s £3.3 bn for its Local Power Plan should be “uncapped”. If there is demand for viable projects that would decarbonise and cut bills, then the capital investment should be increased, Pearce argues .

The report echoes other voices in seeking planning reform, putting an end to a minority of objectors holding up new energy projects. Regional boards should pool generation and management resources, prevent surpluses being concentrated in hot spots.

The report comes as growth in the community sector stalls. The 2022 State of the Community Energy Sector report from revealed 65% more community energy organisations had stalled projects than in 2020. Growth in community-owned electricity capacity has been stunted, falling from 81% in 2016-17 to 18% in 2018-19 and 2.4% in 2020-21.

Factors holding the sector back have included the Conservatives’ continuing de facto ban on new onshore turbines in England, planning curbs, financing costs, and a perceived weakening of Rishi Sunak’s support for the sector.

The report contrast UK co-ops’ plight with Germany’s 900-plus success stories.  Sustained policy help given by the country’s town and regional councils, has contributed to German co-ops owning nearly 50% of onshore wind generation.

Germany’s nationally accountable infrastructure bank invests as much as 40% of an €80 billion annual fund on environmental projects that municipalities and communities can access.

Common Wealth argues the UK Infrastructure Bank could play a similar role to KfW, Germany’s self-described ‘bank for responsibility’ and help capitalise community energy projects.

The ginger group’s report comes after its separate study, which set out a pathway for GB Energy to become a clean energy giant, capable of driving the UK’s energy transition.

Nick Pearce, a research fellow at the think tank, wrote ‘Plug in Public Power’.    

He said: “Endless bureaucratic queues and anemic investment in the UK have stifled what should be a thriving sector that brings jobs, lower power bills, energy security and a voice to every corner of our nation.

“It’s time to take back control by bringing ownership home, away from far-off business interests and back to the people who use and produce energy.”

Keir Milburn, co-director of co-operative investment clearing house Abundance Investment, added:  

“Using public-common partnerships as the means to implement the Local Power Plan would give communities control over the surplus each enterprise produces. These can be used to help initiate new green projects which in turn could create their own surplus for reinvestment. In this way a self-expanding dynamic could be introduced into the Green Transition, massively accelerating it while also expanding and strengthening democracy.”

Interest declared: the author invests actively in several local British energy co-operatives. He has contacts within German energy co-ops.

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Accountable to its 700,000 members, Midcounties Co-operative calculates that connecting PV arrays at 29 of its sites stands to save it around £180,000 per year, through generation of 5 million kWh of low carbon electricity.

Sam Webb, pictured, the manager of Midcounties’ Your Co-op store in Lydney, Gloucestershire had the brainwave of introducing his employers to The Big Solar Co-op, in support of the Society’s efforts to generate more green energy.

The site-specific solar generation initiated by Sam is forecast to meet around 5% of Midcounties’ annual power use. In line with the society’s goal of cutting out 40% of its direct green house gas emissions before 2026, the manager’s initiative also stops 290 tonnes of CO2 entering the atmosphere.

Besides supermarkets, Midcounties’ head office on Warwick’s Technology Park, pictured, will also receive PV arrays, as will its premises promoting travel services and childcare.

The society is a leading supporter of community energy in the UK. It has established partnerships with more than 270 renewable community energy projects nationwide through Younity, the society’s joint venture with Octopus Energy.

The Big Solar Co-op, a volunteer-led, not-for-profit social enterprise, wants to install 100MW of community solar projects this decade. The agreement with Midcounties allows both co-operatives to deepen further their commitment to energy generation undertaken by locally-focused community organisations.

Midcounties Co-operative’s head of sustainability Mike Pickering said: “The partnership between ourselves and Big Solar Coop demonstrates the power of co-operation in driving positive change.

“By integrating solar power generation into our operations, we not only reduce our carbon footprint, but also further our commitment to building a fairer, more sustainable and ethical future.

The Big Solar link complements Midcounties’ achievement to boost energy efficiency at its premises, which has cut 11% from its energy use in only twelve months.   It has budgeted a further £800,000 in similar measures this year

The Midcounties Co-op is fully owned by its 700,000 members.  It operates a collection of Your Co-op businesses, including more than 230 Your Co-op Food stores across the West Midlands, Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire.

Nationwide it also trades under Your Co-op brands covering travel, childcare, broadband and mobile telecoms and energy provision.

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The npower Business Solutions Foundation is open to applications from not-for-profit organisations such as local charities, community interest companies and educational institutions that are located within a 50 mile radius of its offices in Solihull and Leeds.

Projects considered for funding include energy efficiency and carbon reduction measures, waste reduction and recycling initiatives or projects that improve outdoor environments. Depending on the organisation and nature of the project, three levels of funding bands ranging from £10,000 to £100,000 will be available to apply for.

Chief operating officer Anthony Ainsworth commented: “At nBS, we have always supported causes that mean something to us as a company, our colleagues and our customers. The npower Business Solutions Foundation takes this a step further, allowing us to directly support projects that will make a real difference in our local communities.

“We welcome applications from any relevant organisation, from local schools to sports groups to community arts centres to charities, who have struggled to secure funding to turn their plans into reality. These could range from improving the sustainability of their premises through energy efficiency, to creating a new space that encourages responsible business or supports wellbeing.

“We will consider a wide range of projects, so please get in touch to find out more and whether your organisation is eligible to apply.”

Applications to the npower Business Solutions Foundation and the allocation of funding will be managed by Charis, an independent organisation specialising in the distribution of financial and product support to vulnerable individuals and community projects.

More information, including how to apply to the npower Business Solutions Foundation, is available at npowerbusinesssolutions.com/foundation.

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Serving 25 million customers in London, the south east and East Anglia, the DNO is aiming its new IRENES package at the 80% of councils in its patch who have declared climate emergencies. A plan for local, cleaner generation is central to almost all.

IRENES –  standing for Integrating RENewable energy & Ecosystem Services – combines 18 datasets on land use collected by the DNO, relevant to ventures in ground-based solar PV and onshore wind. Across 18,000 square kilometres, the tool takes into account characteristics such as existing local electricity networks, terrain, solar irradiance and designations such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

This tool has been designed by Anglia Ruskin University and the University of East Anglia, with support from UKPN’s distribution system operator and the Greater South East Net Zero Hub.

It was constructed in response to the five year old ‘Energy Data Taskforce: A Strategy for a Modern Digitalised Energy System’ report commissioned by government, Ofgem, and Innovate UK. That report set out key recommendations to modernise the UK energy system en route to Net Zero.

IRENES allows data to be easily filtered and layered with other useful Net Zero datasets held in the DSO’s Open Data Portal, to view the energy capacity currently available. Users can generate an easy-to-understand map, with colour coding showing potential locations for new projects.

Missing apparently from the IRENES package are rooftop locations.   Later this month trade body SolarEnergyUK is due to publish results of its joint industry-government working party, designed to free up better access by power developers to unexploited surfaces including warehouses, commercial roofs and tower blocks.

Initial covering five county councils, UK Power Networks’ funds helped a rapid scaling up of the original concept to 133 local authorities serving 5.6 million residents.

Lynne McDonald, head of Local Net Zero at UK Power Networks’ DSO said: “This partnership showcases our DSO’s collaboration across sectors to support local authorities in easily accessing essential data for their decarbonisation plans.

“It’s been a fantastic opportunity to exchange knowledge with our colleagues in energy, data and academia. We encourage local authorities to make the most of this new tool, shape our network investments and drive sustainable change together – empowered by data and digital tools for effective, place-based decision-making.”

The Greater South East Net Zero Hub is a government-funded initiative that supports public sector organisations and their stakeholders to develop and enable the financing of local Net Zero projects. These encompass areas of Net Zero delivery including local power generation, heat and buildings, transport and local energy systems.

Peter Gudde, its Net Zero programme lead said: “We have been supporting the development of the IRENES Land Use Tool to enable locally developed renewable energy generation.

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Ninety volunteer-led energy schemes are among the 200 and more projects whose backers have used Ethex as a fund-raising source to promote environmental change. Alongside solar cooperatives in Bristol and Wales, the platform’s energy ventures include:

• Solar for Schools, which raised £6.1 million to work with schools and communities to provide decarbonisation and energy education by means of PV installations across the UK.
• Low Carbon Hub, which raised £9.6 million for a range of pioneering green energy hubs in Oxforshire, from community solar to electric transport
• Energy Garden, which raised over £1 million for community solar and green spaces in London

Having directed £120 million of small backers’ and trust money to projects, now the platform led by Lisa Ashford MBE pictured, aims to raise another £200 million by 2029.

Timed for its birthday, the social investment fund launches a new survey showing that two-thirds (67%) of UK investors and savers want to see their money being used to positively impact the planet and society. But 56% told the platform’s researchers that they’re unsure where it actually goes.

Conducted by OnePoll, the survey reveals that the younger people are, the more likely they are to want money to do good. Almost four-fifths of under 24s, or 79%, stated this goal was important for them.

CEO Lisa Ashford was awarded the MBE in 2023 for services to impact investment

She said: “If you care about creating a better future for all, what you choose to do with your money is just as important as recycling, saving energy or supporting charities. It’s encouraging that our survey shows such a high level of awareness of the importance of investing for a positive impact, especially among younger people. But it also shows that there isn’t nearly enough transparency from the financial sector about how they use the money people trust them with. Savers and investors rightly need to know exactly what their money is being used for.”

Since its launch, the non-profit outfit has built a registered investor base of more than 25,000 people.

The survey is being published in tandem with Ethex’s 10-year Impact Report as the company  celebrates 10 years of making ethical investments accessible to all.

It faces challenges. Awareness of the ethical investment alternatives remains low, at only 39% – although younger people are more savvy, with 63% of 18 – 34 year olds in particular keen to invest in companies or projects tackling climate change.

CEO Ashford explained: “As the cost of living continues to rise and climate change is an even bigger threat, our mission at Ethex is more relevant than ever.

Lisa Ashford added: “We believe that our money is the most powerful transformational force for environmental and social change. Over the last decade, we have seen the power of people’s pounds in action. We have connected thousands of ordinary people with extraordinary projects, making it easy for them to use their money to support organisations taking real steps to accelerate climate action, build stronger communities and reduce poverty.”

“We plan to become bigger and bolder and get many more people involved to create a huge collective impact – reaching an ambitious £200 million deployed to do good in the next 5 years”

More details here.

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The EST will consider granting cash to projects across England, Scotland and Wales, if they support households most at risk from cold and high energy bills, or advance innovative services around home energy use, or address carbon emissions reduction.

Community interest companies, co-operative societies and community benefit societies are among potentially eligible recipients.

Graham Ayling, senior project manager at the EST, said: “With energy prices remaining high, we encourage community and charity groups that work with struggling or vulnerable people to apply for funding through the Main or Small Project Fund.

“We’ve seen the positive work that such local groups do in helping those most in need, with projects ranging from energy advice supporting vulnerable people, to research aimed at making sure the needs of elderly and disabled people are met by new energy technologies.

Ayling went on: “This funding will also aid projects which address the climate emergency, helping to deliver net zero in ways that leave no one behind and help everyone to share in the benefits”.

The Energy Redress Scheme is sourced from Ofgem’s fines levied on energy retailers who breach their supply licences. Since 2018, it has awarded over £100 million, benefitting more than 530 projects across England, Scotland & Wales.

Cathryn Scott, Ofgem’s director for enforcement and emerging issues, backed the latest EST offer. She added:

“Protecting customers is at the heart of Ofgem’s mission, so when we make energy companies pay for falling short of the standards we set, it’s only right that customers should be the ones who benefit.

“Since the Redress Fund was established, more than £100 million has gone to projects helping households who might be struggling with energy bills. This latest round of funding is another opportunity to get funds to communities that need it the most so I would encourage organisations to apply.”

The ERS’ funding streams are:

• Main Fund, with £13.25 million. Aimed at projects seeking grants between £50,000 and £2 million supporting vulnerable households.
• Small Project Fund, with £750,000. For projects seeking grants between £20,000 and £49,999.
• Innovation Fund, containing £3 million. Benefitting projects set to innovate products or services for households. Applicants can apply for sums between £20,000 and £1 million.
• Carbon Emissions Reduction Fund, containing £3 million. Aimed at projects that will reduce UK carbon emissions and empower households to reduce their carbon footprint. Applicants can apply for grants between £20,000 and £1 million.

For more details, check here.     Applications close on Tuesday 20 February.

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Now grant givers at the powerco’s Net Zero fund are seeking more civic groups to share its £5 million pot.

The groups will receive grants to aid decarbonisation and help them speed progress towards their Net Zero targets, by means such as solar panels or heat pumps, or retrofitting listed buildings to increase energy efficiency.

Benefitting already is Govan Heritage Trust, a group of volunteers dedicated to promoting the Glasgow neighbourhood’s cultural heritage.  They’ve received a grant to heat a decommissioned church, with a heat pump drawing warmth from the River Clyde.  Carbon savings of more than 90% are anticipated.

When Govan Old Church – pictured – closed in 2007, the trust sprang up to rescue the listed building and contents including the internationally renowned Govan Stones, a collection of early medieval sculpture.

Now in community ownership, the property is being developed into a museum to showcase the site’s heritage.  The renovations will also offer a meeting space for local organisations, charities and voluntary groups.

SP Energy Networks’ Net Zero Fund – see link – is now welcoming applications from eligible Scots charities & community organisations.   Technical guidance as well as money is on offer.

Network regulation director Scott Mathieson said: “SP Energy Networks takes pride in serving all of the communities of central and southern Scotland.

“Our staff and networks are part of the fabric of the Central Belt and it’s right that we play our part in ensuring the most vulnerable customers in our areas also obtain access to the benefits that zero emission energy can bring in transport, heat and jobs“.

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That’s the view of the Greater London Assembly’s environment committee, as its latest report commits it to more support for citizen-controlled green power.

Around 30 volunteer energy groups – almost one per borough – at present deliver and fund solar schemes on London’s community roofs, including schools.  Expanding the sector could power a minimum 350,000 homes in the capital, experts believe, if choke points on array siting and funding are lifted.

Each citizen co-operative funnels offtake revenues to fund advice schemes helping London’s millions of fuel-poor.

Community energy is defined by the Greater London Authority as ‘collective action taken by a self-organised network of people with a common agenda to reduce, manage or generate energy’. 

City Hall’s environment councillors view the Mayor’s GLA-level Community Energy Fund, with its already committed £10 million, as a success in building volunteer skills and yielding power. But snags remain.

Fewer curbs imposed by borough-level planners in siting arrays in conservation areas and old buildings, need too to be signalled from City Hall, the report argues.

London’s richest borough, Kensington and Chelsea, blazes a trail, GLA councillors believe. In March 2022 its planners ordered consent for solar panels should be presumed on most Grade II and most Grade II* listed buildings without the need for listed building consent.

For a decade Community Energy London (CEL) has shared expertise between neighbourhood volunteers, representing them at City Hall.

Two years ago it combined the Mayor’s Solar Opportunity Map with more data on London’s community buildings.  The result was a city-wide ‘Solar Potential Map’, identifying locations where more than 1GW of green community electricity could easily flourish.

Hackney and Southwark lead drives to earmark borough-level cash in support of volunteers investing in citizen-controlled solar.  Such local funds must grow, the GLA body recommends, aided by City Hall. Revenues from local carbon offsetting should be their best source, backed by examples of best practice.

Central government, led by Dulwich-educated energy secretary Claire Coutinho MP, should step up too, says the report, expanding Whitehall’s community energy fund, tasked to strengthen co-ops in the capital and beyond.

Labour AM Léonie Cooper, environment chair at the London Assembly, pictured, said: “Community energy projects give groups of people the opportunity to deliver and support energy resourcing in their communities.

“Not only do they enable increased energy supply, they help educate residents on the importance of responsibly sourced energy in the light of a climate emergency.

“Tackling fuel poverty must be a priority and community energy projects certainly play their part in this.

“The Mayor’s London Community Energy Fund has already been successful, so it is essential both the Mayor and Government press on with community energy projects to help London become a more sustainable city.”

Read the GLA community solar report here.

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Eight solar farms together rated at 36MWp in output now move into the control of Community Energy Together, an alliance formed of five regional generating co-operatives.

During CET’s stewardship up to £20 million of community benefits, could flow, say participants. These are delivered in the form of support to groups fighting fuel poverty and supporting village halls.

The five participants are community benefit societies Wight Energy, Gower Power, Kent Energy, Somerset’s Yealm Energy and Shropshire & Telford Community Energy.

Big Society Capital, one of the financial midwives to the deal, says it meets the electricity needs of 13,000 homes. At a stroke, it also increases by 20% co-operative energy’s share of national green power generation.

The deal has been facilitated by Community Owned Renewable Energy (CORE), a partnership between the UK’s leading social impact investor Big Society Capital and Power to Change, an independent trust fostering community enterprise.

Designed and managed by the UK’s leading environmental impact investment advisor and fund manager, Finance Earth, the closure of the fund marks the successful realisation of its initial purpose of facilitating community ownership of renewable assets and creating funding streams for wider social change.

Big Society Capital’s Joe Shamash said: “This transfer is testament to the potential that community energy has to help the UK reach its net zero targets in a way that benefits local communities throughout the country. We are so pleased to have helped communities take ownership of solar farms that deliver the multiple benefits of energy security, a cleaner planet and funding for local community projects.”

Participants see this deal as a blueprint for the Labour party’s energy plans, encouraging community ownership of small-scale projects promoting cleaner power. Money is reinvested in communities and utilisation of private investment as part of national energy policy.

Power to Change’s CEO Tim Davies-Pugh said: “Local and community energy is key to making the UK a clean energy superpower and building an economy that works for people and planet. Bold, collaborative approaches are needed to rapidly grow community energy at scale, opening new markets and bringing in institutional investment, whilst remaining embedded in local communities. As a key partner in this innovative scheme, we stand ready to share the lessons, particularly as the Labour Party further develops its approach to community energy through its Local Power Plan.”

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The authority steps in when suppliers breach their licence conditions or are found to be failing customers.

It recovered last year’s £77.2 million in the form of fines, customer refunds, compensation and alternative actions. That’s almost triple 2022’s £27.3 million. The latest sum includes £5 million of direct fines.

Over £57 million of cash recovered from suppliers was paid into Ofgem’s Energy Redress Fund, which benefits charities & community projects designed to help vulnerable customers.

The ERF is managed by the Energy Saving Trust. Since launch in 2018, it has handed out £102 million in grants to 538 projects.

A further £35 million has been added for sharing among projects, including new ones. The ERF now seeks fresh applications; details here.

Examples of licence breaches in 2023 included three generators who unfairly raised bills, or others inflicting unacceptable call waits on customers wanting to change supplier.

Ofgem says it forced suppliers to pay over a million pounds a month for poor service alone. The regulator says 2023’s ‘significant rise’ in fines reflects Ofgem’s proactive work to identify suppliers’ service failures.

“Ensuring customers are treated fairly is at the heart of Ofgem’s mission”, said its director for enforcement Cathryn Scott.

“That’s why we make suppliers pay when they break rules. When they do, it’s only right that customers should benefit.

“Every year, the Energy Redress Fund makes a positive difference to the lives of customers, particularly people who are struggling and vulnerable. Seeing it pass the £100 million mark is a significant milestone.

“This could not have happened without the thorough investigative work of our compliance teams, or the Energy Saving Trust who ensure target the money.”

ERF remedies have included:

• £20 million in fuel vouchers issued to charities to identify and provide help to vulnerable customers at risk of disconnection
• installing energy saving methods for more than 150,000 homes to help reduce bills
• working to ensure that future home heating controls and new energy technologies work for everyone including people living with disabilities

Among the 538 projects supported by the energy redress fund is the Warm Hubs centre in the village of Seahouses, Northumberland.

Redress funding drove this community resource, established by the Community Action Northumberland charity, and a lifeline service last winter at the height of the energy crisis.

Laura McGadie at the Energy Saving Trust, said: “We are pleased to have managed the distribution of more than £100 million in much-needed funds from the Redress scheme to frontline charities and social enterprises since 2018.

“The projects funded by the scheme are helping customers in the most vulnerable situations through the cost of living crisis, but they also look to the future.

“Charities and social enterprises have a crucial role to play in ensuring no one is left behind as we transition to net zero and that we all have a voice and a role in the changes that are coming to our energy system.”

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The fund will support local groups across the Midlands, South West and South Wales as they run projects to fight fuel poverty over the winter.

National Grid’s distribution business has awarded a total of £10 million to volunteer groups since the fund’s launch in 2021. Of this, £8 million has been targeted at tackling fuel poverty.

One group to apply successfully for funding is Aberporth Village Hall in Dyfed, South Wales, which has been awarded £10,000 towards the cost of solar panels and a new heating system for its community hub and warm space.

It was one of several groups to receive funding towards low carbon technologies which support a net zero energy future – a priority for National Grid.

Age UK Lindsey also benefits. It will use its £10,000 grant to provide warm packs and energy advice to help older people in Lincolnshire to reduce their energy bills.

The charity’s representative Andrew Storer said: “The grant from the Community Matters Fund will make such a huge difference to the older people we want to help this winter. Many older people will face the choice between paying their bills or putting food on their table during the winter months and because of the funding we have received, for the Age UK Lindsey Safe and Warm Homes Project, we will be able to provide direct help at a time when it is needed most.”

Chris Hayton, Director of Corporate Affairs at National Grid, said: “We know that many people will struggle to keep their homes warm this winter. At a time when addressing fuel poverty has never been more critical, our Community Matters Fund will support local groups to deliver help where it’s most needed. We’re looking forward to working with community groups to create positive change and to seeing the results of their hard work.”

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With base interest rates now topping 5% and setting the pace for small-scale retail investors, a few fund-raisers for citizen-controlled, low-carbon power had feared a waning in numbers of small investors willing to tie up sums of between £50 and £250 for two or more years.

The Brighton co-op’s fund raise knocked such apprehensions into the proverbial cocked hat.

Its first ever offer of a BEC Solar Bond raised £700,000 in just one month over the summer, the decade-old Sussex co-op reports in its winter newsletter.

Resolving last minute legal questions delayed the issue, but that didn’t dampen enthusiasm among the collective’s supporters for ethical investing, designed to reap high local, and high social impacts.

The fundraiser has paid for a giant 342kWp of solar capacity over ten roofs of Cardinal Newman Catholic School, a voluntary-aided mixed comprehensive in Hove, illustrated.

Further roofs at Shoreham Port also benefit. Its HQ building Nautilus House, plus adjacent Maritime House and the popular waterside Port Kitchen Cafe can now produce 120kW of carbon-saving solar electricity every year. An estimated 70% of the cafe’s previous bills will now be met by solar-generated electricity, adding to the venue’s already impressive efforts towards sustainability.

Thanks to the bond, a warehouse roof at Newhaven Port that will shortly be receiving PV panels.  Preferred installers Chester-headquartered Genfit were prominent in the installations.

Also adding to south coast sunshine is the Brighton volunteers’ Community Solar Accelerator.  Priming their own fund-raising with seed capital from the EU’s Regional Fund, the co-op paid out grants totalling £714,400 to 33 SMEs, mainly based in Sussex, saving at least part of bills as electricity costs rose at an all-time high.

Last month BEC member & documentary film-maker Vicki Lesley hosted a screening to over 150 members of ‘The Atom: A love affair’, her depiction of the nuclear industry and its interactions with society.

Also in October the co-op’s Community Fund manager Atlanta Cook give a ‘Local Energy Snapshot’ presentation at Brighton Town Hall to 40 students selected from five secondary schools.

Interest declared: The current writer invests in various local English energy co-operatives. Find your nearest one here.

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