The Energy Security & Net Zero Secretary has announced GB Energy’s first set of major investment projects – boosting renewable energy generation on the public estate and supporting new community energy projects.

To begin GB Energy’s work in scaling community energy, the Energy Security & Net Zero Secretary has launched two new interventions – a new GB Energy Community Fund and direct funding for Metro Mayors to support local energy. The new Community Fund will provide £5m of grant funding for community energy groups across the country, with the devolved nations receiving their own bespoke funding – over £9.3m – to support community energy development, including on the public estate. Metro Mayors across England will receive £10m in new funding through the Mayoral Renewables Fund, with the objective of scaling new renewable energy generation in communities. This will help to support community energy growth in major cities, sitting alongside existing programmes such as the Mayor of London’s London Community Energy Fund – which has helped to support 139 projects since its inception.

GB Energy will further invest £200m in the installation of solar panels across 200 schools and 200 NHS facilities – including £100m for the NHS sites which represent a third of NHS Trusts. This installation will increase the renewable energy generation capacity of NHS and school sites considerably – with only 20% of schools and 10% of hospitals presently having solar panels installed. The installation will help provide power directly to the NHS and school sites, with the surplus energy being sold into the grid. This will help to lower energy bills for the NHS and schools, which have been badly affected by higher costs in recent years – reducing their ability to invest for the future. Additional funding has also gone into Local Net Zero Hubs, which offer advice to local authorities on how to support and develop clean energy projects – including paving the way for community energy initiatives.

GB Energy will be pivotal in the delivery of the Local Power Plan (LPP) – a key part of Labour’s climate mission. The LPP represents the largest Government commitment to community energy expansion in British history – with the ambition of generating 8GW of new energy – equivalent to 3 new nuclear power stations. The GB Energy Bill currently going through parliament has recently been amended to include an expressed community energy commitment in its text.

To deliver the LPP, GB Energy will work closely with community energy groups, Metro Mayors, local authorities, funders, and planning authorities to deliver a scaling of the sector – including solar, wind and hydro power. Community energy is unique in its opportunity to generate significant long-lasting economic benefit for local communities. Research by the energy consultancy Aquaterra has found that community energy projects can generate up to 34 times the community benefit value than private renewable projects. This is a key reason why the Government must focus on scaling community owned energy across the country.

The investment announcements made by GB Energy are welcome first steps. Now it’s essential for the Government to double down and support the rapid roll-out of the LPP so that all communities can enjoy the benefits of community energy development.