Historic Government Investment in Community Energy
The "Local-Power Plan" launch
A GB Energy and DESNZ Announcement
This week, there was a big fanfare announcing the Local Power Plan, an exciting raft of support and reforms, to support the rapid acceleration of Community Energy in the UK. The document, and the promises it contains, have received a positive and enthusiastic response from Community Energy groups and organisations across the UK.
We at Forest Community Energy are well placed to ensure that the Forest of Dean District can take advantage of this new support and secure the benefits of this new funding for our local area. We have already completed the Local Power Plan "Expression of Interest (EOI)" form, stating our position, our ideas, and our ambitions.
Helen Jeffrey, Chair of Forest Community Energy, says;
“This investment and support comes at the perfect time for us! Our membership is growing rapidly. We are communicating the Community-Owned Energy vision and inspiring people across the District."
The Great British Energy website says:
"The Local Power Plan sets out a clear vision and plan to revolutionise the UK’s local and community energy sector. Growing the sector will give communities and organisations across the UK a direct stake in a clean, green, more affordable energy future."
The Centre for Sustainable Energy (with whom we have worked closely in the past) said:
"We welcome the Local Power Plan published this week. With a commitment to invest £1bn, and ambition to support over 1,000 new local and community generation projects, it represents a scaling of ambition that the sector's long been waiting for. But it's about more than money and growth. It finally recognises – on a national scale – the importance of communities across the UK having a voice and stake in our energy system. This is something we've been championing for decades."
Emma Bridge, Chief Executive of Community Energy England (of which we are a member), said:
"Community energy delivers far more than clean power – it keeps value local, cuts bills, creates jobs and helps make the energy system fairer. The Local Power Plan shows a clear commitment to putting communities at the heart of our energy future, and we’re excited to continue working with Great British Energy and the government to turn this funding into real projects on the ground as quickly as possible.”
