Biggest-ever investment in community energy unveiled

Funding of up to £1bn is being made available to support community renewable energy projects.

The Government and Great British Energy said the Local Power Plan would deliver the biggest public investment in community energy in the UK’s history.

Launching the plan, the Government pointed out that community owned energy is the norm in other countries. In Germany, for example, around two-fifths of installed renewable energy generation capacity is citizen-owned.

“But despite its huge potential, for too long community energy in this country has been held back by a lack of funding, advice and central government support,” it said.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: “By giving local people the chance to take control of their energy, this government is making a fundamental choice to transfer wealth and power back to communities across Britain.”