Great British Energy’s £20 million GBE Community Fund offers grants to incorporated community organisations in England, Wales and Northern Ireland to test, develop and build locally owned clean energy projects. Supported projects must be designed to be at least 50% community owned when operational and deliver clear benefits for their local community.
Who can apply:
- Legally incorporated community organisations based in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, with a bank account requiring two signatories.
- Eligible structures include Charitable Incorporated Organisations, incorporated registered charities, community benefit societies, Community Interest Companies, co-operative societies, development trusts, pre-commencement societies, registered societies, registered social landlords, and town, parish or community councils.
- Projects must give the community organisation at least 50% legal and financial ownership when operational, including at least 50% of the financial returns generated for the project’s owners.
- Joint applications are permitted where every partner is eligible and one organisation acts as the accountable lead partner.
What you can get:
- Stage 1 – Feasibility: up to £40,000 to test whether a project idea is viable. Eligible costs can include technical studies, site assessments, legal and planning advice, financial modelling, community engagement and project-specific management.
- Stage 2 – Development: up to £100,000 to take a feasible project towards a final investment decision. Funding can cover detailed design, planning and consenting, grid and land arrangements, legal structures, investment readiness and eligible project-specific staffing.
- Stage 3 – Capital: up to £3 million, capped at 50% of total project capital costs, for fully developed, construction-ready projects. Eligible costs include clean energy equipment, construction, installation, commissioning and essential associated infrastructure.
- Stages 1 and 2 may cover up to 100% of eligible costs, subject to the relevant funding cap and assessment.
Key notes:
- Eligible technologies vary by stage and include solar, wind, hydropower, anaerobic digestion and eligible battery storage. Some heat, energy-advice and energy-efficiency project types are supported only at earlier stages.
- Stage 2 applicants need a completed feasibility study. Stage 3 projects must be ready to build, with development work completed, land and grid arrangements secured, and other project finance identified.
- Stage 3 cannot fund operational costs, previously incurred costs, feasibility or development work, project management, staff, legal or financial advice, community engagement, or general overheads.
- Applicants must evidence local support and explain the measurable community benefits, such as reinvested income, lower energy costs, community returns or funding for local priorities.
- All funding must be spent and claimed by 31 March 2028, except where an eligible Stage 1 project has agreed payment in advance.
- The fund is not open in Scotland, where community energy support is available through the CARES programmes.
Deadline:
Thursday 12 November 2026 at 11.55pm