The Great British Energy Community Fund is a government programme which specifically funds community energy projects to do feasibility and development.
Funding
The Great British Energy Community Fund is a government programme which specifically funds community energy projects to do feasibility and development. £10m was made available through the fund initially in 2023 and the government has recently announced another £5m.
The aim of the fund is to help kickstart projects including small-scale wind farms and rooftop solar partnerships, as well as battery storage, rural heat networks, electric vehicle charging points, and fuel poverty alleviation schemes – all proposed, designed and owned by local people.
The project is administered by the regional Net Zero Hubs. They can offer advice on applying for funding, so get in touch if you are considering making an application
Greater South East Net Zero Hub
The Great British Energy Community Fund is currently closed for this region.
**Before applying for Stage 2 funding you should submit an expression of interest form to the Great British Energy Fund team at the Greater South East Net Zero Hub.
Please contact community@gsenetzerohub.org.uk if you have any questions about the application process.
Midlands Net Zero Hub
The Midlands Hub has a rolling application process. Applications received by the hub will be reviewed at a board review meeting.
Please contact the Midlands hub by emailing CommunityEnergyFund@NottinghamCity.gov.uk to receive information about their application process and guidance documents.
North East & Yorkshire Net Zero Hub
The Great British Energy Community Fund is currently closed for this region.
Please contact enquiries@NEYnetzerohub.com if you have any questions about their application process.
More details about the fund, the application forms and guidance documents, can be found on the North East and Yorkshire Net Zero Hub at Community Energy Fund – North East & Yorkshire Net Zero Hub (neynetzerohub.com).
People can sign up to the Net Zero Hub’s mailing list which we will use to share information, funding and training opportunities relating to Community Energy and linking to our partner’s opportunities and info, by emailing enquiries@NEYnetzerohub.com.
North West Net Zero Hub
The North West Net Zero Hub are overseeing the regional share of the GBE Community Fund. Prior to the formal application process, organisations are invited to express their interest in applying for funding.
To express your interest in applying for GBECF Stage 1 please complete the form here (see privacy policy)
To express your interest in applying for GBECF Stage 2 please contact jack.smith@lancashire.gov.uk to discuss. Please complete the form all at once and submit, there is no option to save and return to the form at a later date
South West Net Zero Hub
The Great British Energy Community Fund is currently closed for this region.
Please contact communityenergy@westofengland-ca.gov.uk if you have any questions about the application process.
Please fully read the guidance document before completing your application form, you can find these attached above and on the Net Zero Hub websites (linked above and below). See their webinar on GBE Community Fund in June 2025
Please also ensure that you are completing the correct application form for the funding you require. Stage 1 funding is for the completion of feasibility studies, while Stage 2 funding is available for post-feasibility project development.
**Please note, all funding is subject to final agreement between the Net Zero Hubs and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. The submission of an application form does not guarantee funding.