Welsh communities given support to build local energy projects to tackle climate change

Communities across Wales will receive a funding boost to build and control their own clean energy supply that will help to cut bills, grow local wealth and tackle the climate crisis – with the rollout of the biggest UK public investment in community energy. 

Great British Energy is today (17 September) launching £30 million funding to kick start a community power revolution – the first downpayment on up to £1 billion, announced earlier this year - with the aim to support over 1000 local and community-led clean energy projects across the UK. 

 Building on Wales’ existing commitment to community energy through the Welsh Government Energy Service, the new funding will enable more community energy groups to accelerate plans for locally owned clean power projects - from solar panels on local buildings to village-owned wind farms and hydro schemes in nearby rivers. This will help to put money back in the pockets of communities and allow them join in UK-wide climate action, following the record temperatures reached this summer due to climate change.

These will be owned by community energy groups, meaning local areas can reap the full benefits – from reduced bills for local services to ensuring profits from the clean power generated flow back into towns and villages, rather than just to energy companies.