Great British Energy announce Community Fund and new Partnerships Grant

Great British Energy is launching £30 million in funding to kick start a community power revolution, designed to support the growth of community energy and strengthen collaboration between community energy organisations and public sector partners. 

Community Fund

Funding: Up to £40,000, £100,000 or £3 million, depending on the stage

• Stage 1: Feasibility. Up to £40,000 to test whether your project idea is viable before committing significant time or money.
• Stage 2: Development. Up to £100,000 to turn a viable idea into an investment-ready project.
• Stage 3: Capital. Up to £3 million, or 50% of total project value, to help a construction-ready project bridge remaining funding gaps.

Who it’s for: Community energy groups. You can apply if you are a community organisation set up to run energy projects for local benefit. You must be a legally constituted, incorporated community organisation based in England, Wales or Northern Ireland. Your project must be designed to be at least 50% community owned when operational. Eligible organisations include community benefit societies, community interest companies, co-operative societies, development trusts and registered charities. See the fund guidance for the full list.

Where: England, Wales and Northern Ireland

Technologies: Solar, wind, storage and other technologies. See the fund guidance for the full list.

Total funding: £20 million

Application window: Open for eight weeks until 12 November 2026 at 23:55.

Partnerships Grant

The application window is open for eight weeks, to 12 November.

You must be a local authority in England, applying with a community energy group that provides a letter of support.

Funding is available at two stages:

• Stage 1: Partnership formation and feasibility. Up to £40,000 to form your partnership and test whether a project is viable.
• Stage 2: Development. Up to £100,000 to take a project that has proven feasible into detailed development

You can get help with your application before you apply. In England, your Local Net Zero Hub can give tailored advice and review your draft application. For organisations in the West Midlands this is Midlands Net Zero Hub who can be contacted at CommunityEnergyFund@NottinghamCity.gov.uk.