This action plan outlines how Birmingham City Council can help expand community energy to support Net Zero, reduce energy costs, and deliver wider community benefits. Birmingham already has a well-developed community energy sector, supported by organisations delivering energy advice, retrofit programmes, renewable energy projects, and community engagement. The city’s climate ambitions, large-scale housing retrofit programmes, and emerging planning framework provide a strong foundation for growth. However, activity remains fragmented, with limited coordination between organisations and no clear city-wide approach. Despite these challenges, there is significant potential to scale community energy across schools, housing, community buildings, and other council assets.

Challenges, opportunities, and actions

The study found that community energy in Birmingham is constrained by limited organisational capacity, short-term funding, complex procurement processes, fragmented decision-making, and inconsistent coordination across council services. Community groups often rely on small teams and volunteers, while unclear routes through planning, procurement, and asset management can slow project delivery.

To address these barriers, the report highlights opportunities to establish a Birmingham-wide community energy network, improve collaboration between stakeholders, and develop clearer points of contact within Birmingham City Council. Significant opportunities exist to expand rooftop solar across council and community assets, supported by new funding streams and blended finance models. Longer-term potential includes heat networks, battery storage, and integrated local energy systems.

Key actions include publishing a pipeline of suitable assets, creating standardised lease and power purchase agreement processes, establishing a Community Energy Forum, supporting access to funding, improving internal coordination, embedding community energy across council policy and procurement, and promoting successful projects to build awareness and participation across the city.