As part of the Community Energy Capacity Building Study, this Community Energy Action Plan highlights North Lincolnshire Council’s established partnership with North Lincolnshire Community Energy (NLCE) and their focus on Net Zero, energy affordability, and economic resilience.
Experience Level:
Foundation
Provided by: Midlands Net Zero Hub
Part of: Community energy in the Midlands
MNZH - Community Energy Action Plan - North Lincolnshire Council - July 2026
The Midlands Net Zero Hub (MNZH) commissioned a Community Energy Capacity Building Study across six local authority areas: Birmingham, Herefordshire, Leicester, North Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, and Worcestershire. Delivered by Energy Saving Trust in partnership with Marches Energy Advice, the study engaged local authorities and community energy stakeholders through facilitated workshops to identify challenges, opportunities, and practical actions that can accelerate community-led energy delivery across the Midlands.
The study produced Community Energy Action Plans for each region, a summary report of the community energy capacity in the Midlands, and an overall guide to community energy based on the findings from the study and its workshops.
This action plan highlights North Lincolnshire’s strong position to expand community energy through its established partnership between North Lincolnshire Council and North Lincolnshire Community Energy (NLCE). Supported by a favourable policy environment focused on Net Zero, energy affordability, and economic resilience, the partnership has already delivered successful solar projects on schools and council assets. Community energy activity has primarily focused on rooftop solar, supported by community investment and council facilitation. While community energy is broadly supported within council policy, it is not yet fully embedded as a formal delivery mechanism. The report identifies significant potential to scale activity through a more strategic, coordinated approach.
The main barriers to growth include limited council capacity to identify and develop projects, grid constraints, gaps in strategic planning, procurement complexity, and difficulties securing community investment. Project development can also be delayed by issues such as roof condition, asset suitability, and competing public-sector priorities. Community engagement remains uneven, with misinformation and limited public participation affecting support for some projects.
The report identifies substantial opportunities to build on the successful NLCE model. Priority areas include expanding rooftop solar across schools, community facilities, commercial buildings, and council assets, alongside exploring battery storage, EV charging integration, and future local energy systems. Analysis suggests around 0.65 MW of readily deliverable rooftop solar capacity and more than 90 MW of longer-term solar and wind potential.
Recommended actions include developing a strategic project pipeline, undertaking asset and roof surveys, strengthening engagement with Great British Energy, expanding community outreach, embedding community energy within local energy strategies, and scaling delivery through public-sector, commercial, and private-sector partnerships. The plan also emphasises battery storage and integrated energy projects as key future opportunities.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. © MNZH. You may use this content (including commercially) under the Open Government Licence v3.0, provided you credit MNZH and include the licence link.
Designed to aid Local Authorities in developing robust, evidence-based plans to enable Net Zero.
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