Great British Energy Community Fund

Funding of up to £140,000 is available to help community organisations get started on clean power projects.

The window for applications is open until November 12th 2025 – but unlike previous funds applications will be assessed periodically between now and then on a first come first serve basis. This means the earlier you get your application in, the better your chances of receiving funding.

‍The fund has been launched by Great British Energy – the publicly owned energy company - and is managed locally by the North East and Yorkshire Net Zero Hub. It is designed to help community groups produce power where it is needed and which local people benefit from and to contribute to the government’s mission of increasing renewable energy generation. 

Two grants are available:   

Stage 1 – Feasibility Grant: For those communities at an early stage of exploring the possibility of a renewable energy Project, and which meet the Fund’s eligibility criteria, this stage offers grants of up to a maximum of £40,000 to cover consultancy and professional costs for the development of a feasibility study.

Stage 2 – Development Grant: For Projects which demonstrate a good chance of securing planning permission and being implemented, the NEY Net Zero Hub will consider further development funding of up to £100,000 to enable more detailed investigation into the key areas of technology selection including:

• Investigating possible purchase of land (legal fees for example)
• Environmental impact assessments
• Submitting planning applications and permitting applications
• Developing a full investment business plan.

Feasibility studies exploring the following technologies are eligible for funding: 

• Anaerobic digestion
• Biogas heat network
• Bio liquids/gas/fuels
• Biomass heat network
• Electric vehicle infrastructure (publicly available, incorporating generation/storage)
• Heat pumps
• Heat pump-fed heat networks (e.g., heat zoning for a village)
• Hydropower
• Solar (photo voltaic)
• Solar (thermal)
• Wind power
• Battery storage

Technologies NOT on this list will be considered on a case-by-case basis and you should contact the North East and Yorkshire Net Zero Hub for advice before applying. 

The following organisations are eligible:

• Charitable Incorporated Organisation
• Community Benefit Society
• Community Interest Company
• Co-operative Society
• Development Trust
• Pre-Commencement Society
• Registered Charity (including eligible faith groups, sports clubs,)
• Registered Social Landlord
• Registered Society
• Town or Parish Council