Britons could soon own a direct stake in the wind farms, solar projects and other clean energy schemes built in their communities under a new Great British Energy programme.
The Government has launched the first £30 million of up to £1 billion promised for local and community energy, with the ambition of supporting more than 1,000 projects across the UK.
Schemes could range from rooftop solar on public buildings to village-owned wind farms and hydro projects.
Crucially, ministers also plan to give community energy groups the chance to take a direct ownership stake in larger renewable developments.
The aim is to ensure some of the proceeds from local wind, solar and other clean power projects flow back into the communities where they are built rather than solely to developers.
The Government says the approach would bring Britain closer to models already used in countries including Germany and Denmark, where community ownership in energy projects is more established.
The initial funding package includes a £20 million Community Fund for projects in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Projects receiving money must show that communities will hold a defined legal and financial interest in the asset and that a share of the benefits will remain locally.
A further £5 million Partnerships Grant will support joint projects between English local authorities and community energy groups.
Scotland will receive £1.8 million through its existing Community and Renewable Energy Scheme, while up to £2.9 million will support advice services for local groups.
Great British Energy has also already provided up to £16 million to Mayoral Combined Authorities in England. That programme has delivered 157 rooftop solar projects on public buildings including leisure centres and fire stations.
The Government says those schemes, alongside further installations still to come, could generate up to £50 million in lifetime energy bill savings for local services.
Great British Energy Chief Executive Dan McGrail said: “Our vision is that every community should have the chance to build and own its own renewable energy.”
Community Energy England welcomed the funding as the first step towards the wider £1 billion commitment.
The policy marks a shift from simply hosting renewable infrastructure to giving local people a direct financial interest in it.
If delivered at scale, the model could see councils and communities becoming generators, shareholders and beneficiaries of Britain’s clean energy build-out rather than simply providing the land on which it happens.
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