Community Energy England & Partners are inviting public figures & organisations supportive of community energy to sign this open letter, which will be delivered to the Government in February 2026.

We’re calling on the UK Government to implement the recommendations of the Community Energy State of the Sector 2025 report and to work with us through the Up the Energy campaign to remove barriers, unlock local power, and ensure every community can share in the benefits of clean, affordable energy.

THE OPEN LETTER:

A joint open letter from Community Energy England and partners

As organisations working across civil society, the environment, poverty reduction, community development and local enterprise, we welcome the UK Government’s commitment to community energy and the ambition set out in the Clean Power 2030 Action Plan. Community energy can play a vital role in delivering the Clean Power Mission and support broader objectives on economic renewal, local empowerment, energy security, pride in place, nature recovery and the growth of the co-operative, mutual and impact-driven economy.

This letter sets out the evidence, the risks of delay, and the practical steps needed to unlock community energy at scale. We invite the Government to work with us to make sure communities fully contribute to - and benefit from - the UK’s clean energy transition.

Community energy delivers on Government priorities

Community Energy England represents and supports over 340 organisations developing or supporting community-owned renewable energy projects and energy demand reduction services. These projects cut bills, create skilled jobs, improve local services, support nature recovery, and reinvest profits locally. They show that clean energy can also be fair, trusted and rooted in community benefit.

Public support is strong: Polling commissioned by Common Wealth shows 62% of the public would support a community-owned renewable energy project in their area, compared to 40% support for a privately-owned project.

The economic case is clear too. UKRI/PwC analysis finds that a locally tailored approach to deliver net zero could save consumers up to £108 billion, while requiring less investment than a national one-size-fits-all approach.

Progress is at risk without targeted action

Despite widespread support, community energy faces significant barriers that are slowing or stopping projects:

● 379 MW of community schemes are stalled by grid delays and outdated policy.

● Investment has fallen from £157m in 2023 to £53m in 2024.

● Many volunteer-led groups are struggling to keep going.

Without targeted support, the UK risks falling short of the 8 GW by 2030 goal - and undermining wider priorities such as clean power, local economic resilience, crowding-in private and community capital, and the development of the impact economy. It will also weaken the foundations needed for meaningful public engagement in climate and energy policy, including the upcoming Net Zero Public Participation Strategy.

What’s needed to deliver 8 GW by 2030

Community Energy England and partners recommend the following steps:

1. Provide dedicated support through the Local Power Plan and Warm Homes Plan, with at least 25% of LPP funding ring-fenced for low-income communities.
2. Guarantee a fair, stable export price for community-generated electricity, giving groups the certainty needed to invest.
3. Prioritise community projects in grid connection queues and speed up enabling works.
4. Support local supply models and make it easier for the public sector - including councils, schools and the NHS - to buy community-generated power.
5. Improve access to suitable public land and rooftops, ensuring community projects can scale at pace.
6. Create a Government–GB Energy partnership to lead public engagement on clean energy and community ownership, aligned with the Net Zero Public Participation Strategy.
7. Make GB Energy a strategic partner for shared ownership models to help standardise approaches and attract community investment.

These actions are practical, value-for-money, and aligned with existing Government commitments.

A partnership to accelerate delivery

Community energy offers trusted local leadership, strong public backing and proven social value. With clear support, it can speed up progress towards clean power by 2030, build pride in place and ensure every community can share in the benefits of the energy transition.

The ambition exists. The public back it. Civil society is ready.

What we need now is a strong, practical partnership with Government to bring community energy to scale.

We stand ready to work together to Up the Energy and help communities drive the UK’s clean, secure and affordable energy future.

Signed,

Community Energy England

… and partners