Guide to community energy: Actions for local authorities and community energy groups

This guide highlights how local authorities and community energy groups can work together to accelerate community-owned renewable energy projects that deliver both carbon reduction and social value. Produced following workshops across six Midlands local authority areas, it identifies the main barriers facing community energy and provides practical actions to overcome them. The guide emphasises that strong local authority leadership, clear strategies, early collaboration, and long-term partnerships can help communities take greater control of their energy future while supporting local economic growth, fuel poverty reduction, and Net Zero ambitions. Examples of its recommendations include the following:

• Embed community energy in policy and strategy, including Climate Action Plans and Local Area Energy Plans, with clear targets and delivery commitments to provide direction and confidence for projects.
• Develop a shared vision between councils and community groups so that community energy is aligned with wider local priorities such as decarbonisation, energy security, social value, and economic development.
• Establish strong partnerships and regular engagement. Early and consistent collaboration helps identify opportunities, build trust, and create a clearer route through development and delivery processes.
• Support governance and organisational development. Community groups often require advice on legal structures, finance, project management, and stakeholder engagement to become credible delivery partners.
• Improve access to planning support, including pre-application advice, site identification, and planning guidance, which can significantly reduce project risks and delays.
• Use procurement processes to reward social value, ensuring community organisations are not disadvantaged compared with larger commercial developers and recognising the wider benefits they provide.
• Focus on developing viable projects rather than simply securing funding. Successful schemes need strong business models, realistic revenue streams, and well-developed delivery plans.
• Address grid and infrastructure challenges early by engaging with network operators, understanding local constraints, and designing projects that can operate effectively within available capacity.
• Learn from successful examples such as Bath & West Community Energy, Herefordshire, Essex, and North Lincolnshire, where supportive council policies and long-term partnerships have delivered renewable generation alongside community benefits including fuel poverty support, education, and local investment.
• Prioritise social value outcomes, with many community energy projects directly supporting vulnerable residents through affordable warmth initiatives, energy advice, and reinvestment of project revenues into local communities.

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