The Great British Energy Community Fund is now open!

Funding of up to £140,000 is available to help parish and town councils, community organisations, faith groups, community interest companies and even sports teams get started on clean power projects.

The Great British Energy Community Fund is the first community energy grant programme launched by Great British Energy – the newly-created publicly-owned energy company. The fund is now open for applications.

The GBECF will be managed locally by the North East and Yorkshire Net Zero Hub. The fund 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 a renewable energy project 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 Hub will consider further development funding of up to £100,000 to enable more detailed investigation, including:

    • Investigation of possible purchase of land (legal fees for example)

    • Environmental impact assessments

    • Submission of planning applications and permitting applications

    • Development a full investment business plan

Applications will be independently assessed, and it is anticipated that the number of applications will exceed the funding available in the North East and Yorkshire.

The following types or organisation can apply.

• 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 Social Landlord (see paragraph below on local authorities)

• Registered Society

• Town or Parish Council

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.

Full details, application forms and inspiration from community groups who have previously received grants from funds managed by the North East and Yorkshire Net Zero Hub can be found here. The window for applications is open until Wednesday 12th November 2025.