Generate energy locally

25 Big Local Actions

Soaring gas and electricity prices have created a new urgency nationally behind the switch to cheaper, domestic renewable sources. Communities have stepped in because generating energy under local ownership improves cost-effective supply, reducing fuel poverty and generating funds that are invested back into the community.

If you want to read or listen to a couple of inspiring examples, look below. If you are already doing something, then jump here if you want to do something bigger.

Inspiration read

Community-owned, onshore wind

England’s largest, community-owned, onshore wind turbine

The idea for a community-owned wind turbine close to Lawrence Weston in Bristol was first raised in 2016 by a local resident. Bristol City Council’s Energy Services Team agreed to help, identifying suitable council land and the planning application submitted received the support of residents, local communities and local councillors. Despite Bristol City Council’s planning committee voting unanimously in its favour, the project still had to be submitted to the Secretary of State for final approval. Thankfully, since this trailblazing project began, the planning process is now shorter and more streamlined.

Generating power and community income

Operational since 2023, the 4.2 MW wind turbine can power 3,000 homes – equivalent to Lawrence Weston’s entire domestic use – and will save over 120,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions over its lifetime (Thrive Renewables estimate). Providing a new revenue stream for the local community in Lawrence Weston, profits from electricity sales are reinvested back into the area, acting as a new driver for regeneration.

Wholly community owned

Ambition Community Energy (ACE) is a community interest company set up by the residents of Lawrence Weston. Its sole purpose is to build and operate the wind turbine, to help tackle deprivation and poverty in Lawrence Weston. ACE also plan to build an Energy Learning Zone to inspire young people and provide training to upskill residents for zero carbon careers.

Inspiration listen

Generate Energy Locally

Bringing power to the people – exploring community energy with special guest co-host Sonya Bedford MBE and community energy experts.

Copy link

What if?

What if we installed a 4kW solar panel system on one-third of all UK households? Which outcome is the best prediction?

Collectively, we would spend £1 billion less on our electricity bills.

Even bigger!

Together, we would spend £3 billion less on our electricity bills in the UK, given the typical annual savings per household from a 4kW solar PV system. 

Sources: ofgem, SolarGuide, Statista, CC calcs

We would save emissions equivalent to 20,000 rocket launches each year.

Even bigger!

We would save emissions equivalent to almost 40,000 rocket launches a year, based on the average solar panel system saving 1 tonne of greenhouse gases.

Sources: Energy Saving Trust, Space Industry’s Climate Impact, CC calcs

As a nation, the UK would not need to import electricity any more.

✓ True

The UK currently imports one-fifth of its electricity and we would no longer need to import any electricity, improving our nation’s energy security.

Sources: Electric Insights, SolarGuide, CC calcs

Copy link

Do something bigger

Do you want to be part of the green energy solution? With the benefits of cost-effective supply, clean local energy and financial returns for community members who invest and for the local economy, the number of community energy projects is set to increase dramatically. Don’t worry, you don’t have to be an expert in energy or sustainability: a whole range of skills is needed to guarantee the success of these projects and it’ll also be possible to learn as you go.

Contact your local community energy association

Locally-based renewable energy projects can involve many different types of energy, including wind, solar, hydro, geothermal and energy-from-waste. If you’re interested in harnessing the power of your community and generating your own energy, contact the relevant community energy association for expert advice and support in England (Community Energy England), Scotland (Community and Renewable Energy Scheme), Wales (Welsh Government Energy Service) or Northern Ireland (Northern Ireland Community Energy).

There are hundreds of community energy projects all around the UK and they’ve always got opportunities for more people to get involved. You could donate some of your time to help run an existing project or you could consider investing in a local scheme. If you decide to do something bigger yourself, you should be able to find all the necessary skills among the professionals and trades in your area.

Credit: Community Energy Together

Community solar project. Credit: Market Street

Look out for local energy co-operatives

For example, Big Solar Co-op is a community, volunteer-led co-operative that’s making it possible for communities to get solar installed anywhere in the UK. Their work is led by a professional team to ensure that the solar installations are appropriate and do the job. If you want to get solar panels installed where you live, they can train you to find potential sites, assess them, and approach the owners. This work is best done as a group of volunteers, as a community solar project.

Find a community energy mentor

Younity is a partnership between Your Co-op Energy and Octopus Energy that supports the UK’s community energy projects in lots of different ways, including introducing you to been-there-done-that community energy mentors who can guide you along the way. Younity can also help in promoting your community energy project to consumers, supporters and investors. And when you’re ready, they can help to arrange the sale of the local renewable energy you generate through ethical community energy tariffs.