Great British Energy Bill broadened to boost community-led projects

The UK Government recently agreed to broaden the scope of its flagship Great British Energy Bill, adding explicit support for community-led energy projects. 

The Bill, which aims to establish the Great British Energy Company, was amended following a sustained lobbying effort from community energy group Power for People, as well as a cross-party alliance of MPs and Peers. The change will ensure that future energy schemes involving or benefiting local communities can be championed by the new Government-backed entity.

The amendment was proposed by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath, Minister of State for the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero, and was passed in the House of Lords at the Bill’s Report stage on February 11. The legislation will now return to the House of Commons, with Royal Assent expected to follow soon after.

Community energy campaigners have been calling for inclusion in the Bill since it began its Parliamentary journey last autumn, arguing that local ownership of renewable schemes is crucial to reducing emissions and boosting energy resilience. The issue gained significant cross-party support in both Houses, culminating in the Government’s decision to incorporate community energy in the Bill’s provisions.

Steve Shaw, Director of Power for People, commented, “We thank the Government for listening to communities across the UK who want to own and benefit from renewable energy projects. This support for the sector will give it and potential investors much-needed confidence. Community-run clean energy projects currently generate just 0.5% of the UK’s electricity but could – if enabled with policy decisions like this – be powering millions of homes and saving millions of tonnes of CO2 within the next ten years.”

According to advocates, the legislation could help unlock significant investment in smaller-scale initiatives throughout the country, ensuring that local communities reap the financial and environmental rewards of renewable energy projects.