Great British Energy Community Fund soon to be opened

The Government announced funding for a new round of the Great British Energy Community Fund (GBECF), previously known as the Community Energy Fund (CEF).

A total of £5m of funding nationally will be made available to town and parish councils, community organisations, sports teams, charities and faith groups – helping to generate clean energy closer to where it's used and which local people benefit from.

This builds on previous funding for community energy projects in the region through CEF and the Rural Community Energy Fund (RCEF), visit the South West Net Zero Hub’s RCEF page for examples.

The GBECF will soon be open, and this window will close for applications at noon on 7 July 2025.

The funding is for the development of projects from a concept to an investment-ready scheme. It does not provide capital funding for the installation of projects themselves.

The aims of the fund are to:

• Increase the level of community and locally owned renewable and low carbon energy assets to make progress towards the Government’s net zero carbon emissions targets.
• Support communities by helping them to reduce energy costs or generate income through community owned energy assets, reinvesting income locally, or services to reduce energy demand.
• Promote growth through the creation of jobs and volunteering opportunities in the communities where projects are located.

Funding will be offered for Stage 1 (Feasibility Grant up to £40k) and Stage 2 (Full Business Planning Grant up to £100k) projects.

Stage 1 grants

Stage 1 grants are available to scope project feasibility (financial, practical and legal), including :

• further community consultation and consultancy costs for the development of a feasibility report,
• to establish project viability,
• to establish a landowner Heads of Terms, and
• to identify and eliminate risks such as planning permission and grid connection.

Stage 2 grants

Stage 2 grants are available for projects that have been found to be feasible, with:

• a good chance of securing planning permission and being implemented,
• to cover more detailed investigation of the relevant technology,
• planning applications,
• advanced landowner agreements and
• development of a robust business case to attract sufficient investment.

How to apply

To find out more, visit South West Net Zero Hub’s Community energy fund page and to make an application, email communityenergy@westofengland-ca.gov.uk.