Sheffield community groups urged to apply for new Great British Energy funding
Local groups can seek advice from their regional Net Zero Hub
Great British Energy (GBE) has made funding available from its £1 billion Local Power Plan, which is now available to community groups across Sheffield.
The funding forms the first phase of the programme, which is backed by up to £1 billion to support at least 1000 local and community energy projects by 2030.
The first wave includes a £20 million GBE Community Fund, a £5 million GBE Local Partnerships Grant for English local authorities working with community energy partners, and additional support for advice services.
Councillor Minesh Parekh, Sheffield Labour’s Policy Lead for Transport, Regeneration and Climate, urged community groups, co-operatives and local partners to identify opportunities to bid for the funds.
He said: “For too long, working people have been asked to live with the costs of an energy system built around private profit rather than public good.
“Community energy offers us a different path: one where the wealth we create is owned by our communities and reinvested back into our neighbourhoods.
“I want to see Sheffield’s community organisations, schools, charities and churches look closely at this funding and bring forward ambitious proposals. Sheffield can lead the country in showing how locally owned power can lower costs, cut emissions and put communities in control.”
Geoff Cox, Chair of South Yorkshire Climate Alliance, added: “The Climate Alliance was really pleased to see the GBE announcement yesterday. Today our Community Energy Group met with Sheffield City Council members and officers, and we’ve agreed to jointly apply for a grant from GBE’s Partnership Fund.
“This will give us extra capacity to promote and support community-level adoption and ownership of renewable energy technologies. This could be the basis of a very positive step forward by the city.”
The announcement creates a major opportunity for new projects that can cut energy bills, generate local community power and give community groups a direct ownership stake.
Funding now available includes:
The GBE Community Energy Fund - this will provide feasibility, development and capital funding to community energy projects in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. This will provide feasibility funding up to £40,000, development funding up to £100,000 and capital of up to £3 million.
The GBE Local Partnerships Grant - an England-only pilot project for Local Authority and community energy collaborative projects.
Shared ownership legal and guidance documents - to support communities and commercial developers: Shared Ownership | Great British Energy
Labour councillors are encouraging Sheffield-based organisations to explore whether they have suitable buildings, land, partnerships or project ideas that could benefit from the new funding.
Alison Norris, Labour & Co-operative Councillor for Woodhouse, said: “This is a big opportunity to set up community-owned projects that bring people together, cut energy bills and make an income for years to come.
“Profits can be invested back into your area, into whatever people want. You can start small with a few solar panels and work up over the years to industrial scale wind turbines.
“Get started - you’ll be surprised who you meet, how much you learn and what you and your neighbours can get done.”
Local groups can seek advice from their regional Net Zero Hub before applying, including support to strengthen proposals and test eligibility.
For Sheffield, this is the North East & Yorkshire Net Zero Hub.