The Great British Energy Community Fund
- Watch a webinar on applying to GBECF
- Download a slide deck on applying to GBECF
- Details, application forms and guidance for GBECF below for information only
Please contact communityenergy@westofengland-ca.gov.uk for a conversation about getting ready to apply.
The details, application forms and guidance below are for information only and may be subject to change.
The aims of the fund are to:
- Increase the level of community and locally owned renewable and low carbon energy assets to make progress towards the Government’s net zero carbon emissions targets.
- Support communities by helping them to reduce energy costs or generate income through community owned energy assets, reinvesting income locally, or services to reduce energy demand.
- Promote growth through the creation of jobs and volunteering opportunities in the communities where projects are located.
The funding is for the development of projects from a concept to an investment-ready scheme. It does not provide capital funding for the installation of projects themselves.
Funding will be offered for Stage 1 (Feasibility Grant up to £40k) and Stage 2 (Full Business Planning Grant up to £100k) projects.
Stage 1 grants are available to scope project feasibility (financial, practical and legal), including further community consultation and consultancy costs for the development of a feasibility report, to establish project viability, to establish a landowner Heads of Terms, and to identify and eliminate risks such as planning permission and grid connection.
Stage 2 grants are available for projects that have been found to be feasible, with a good chance of securing planning permission and being implemented, to cover more detailed investigation of the relevant technology, planning applications, advanced landowner agreements and development of a robust business case to attract sufficient investment.
Type A projects are community energy asset projects such as renewable or low carbon energy.
Type B projects are community energy efficiency or advice projects.
In the South West we will be accepting Type A and Type B applications during window 1, and we intend to only fund up to two Type B projects. After Window 1 we do not expect to award any further Type B projects. Please contact us if you are considering a Type B application so that we can provide advice.
Applications must be led by legally constituted voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations in England only. Eligible incorporation types are:
- Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO)
- Community Benefit Society (CBS or Bencom)
- Community Interest Company (CIC)
- Co-operative Society
- Development Trust
- Pre-commencement society
- Registered charity (including eligible faith groups, sports clubs, etc.)
- Registered provider of social housing (this can include local authority or social landlord owned social housing)
- Registered Society
- Town or Parish Council
Any project(s) developed through CEF funding should be designed to be at least 50% community-owned. Applicants do not need to be community-owned at the point of application, but if you are not community-owned then you may need to establish a new eligible incorporated body at a later point that can comply with these requirements. A definition of what constitutes ‘community ownership’ for the purpose of this fund can be found in the guidance.
Applicants need to show that a good level of community engagement has been carried out, and that there is genuine community support for the project, including plans for ongoing community engagement.
The GBECF is a national scheme delivered through the Local Net Zero Hubs network across England, which support local authorities and not-for-profit organisations to develop net zero projects and attract commercial investment.
Eligible applicants will be supported by their local Net Zero Hub to apply to the fund.
Greater South East Net Zero Hub | Midlands Hub | North East and Yorkshire Net Zero Hub | North West Net Zero Hub.