Aims/priorities: The grant funding aims to help community organisations across England, Wales and Northern Ireland to test, develop and build community-owned clean energy assets. Projects supported by this fund must demonstrate that the community will hold a defined legal and financial interest in the project, and that a defined share of project benefits will be retained for, or delivered to, the local community.
Who can apply? Applicants must be based in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, be a legally incorporated community organisation of a type set out below and have a bank account with two signatories on the account.
Eligible incorporations types are as follows:
- Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO)
- Community Benefit Society (CBS or Bencom)
- Community Interest Company (CIC)
- Co-operative Society
- Development Trust
- Pre-commencement society
- Incorporated registered charity
- Registered Social Landlord
- Registered Society
- Town or Parish Council.
Joint applications may be made as long as all partners are one of the eligible organisations.
Any project(s) developed through this funding should be at least 50% community-owned.
The community organisation must hold at least a 50% legal and financial ownership interest in the project company or project asset when the project is operational. In the case of a project company, the legal ownership interest requirement means holding at least 50% of the issued share capital and voting rights in the company that will own the project assets. In all cases, the 50% financial interest requirement means being entitled to receive at least 50% of the financial returns generated for the project's owners.
Grant amount: A total of £20 million is being made available.
Funding is provided in three stages:
- Stage 1 – Feasibility grants of up to £40,000 to test whether the project idea is viable before committing significant time or money.
- Stage 2 – Development grants of up to £100,000 to turn a viable idea into an investment-ready project.
- Stage 3 - Capital grants of up to £3 million, or 50% of total project value, to help a construction-ready project bridge remaining funding gaps.
All grant funding must be defrayed and claimed by 31 March 2028, unless funding is for a Stage 1 project that has requested payment in advance.
Application process: Full details are available on the GBE website. Applicants should consult the new 2026 guidance notes.
All applications will be made to GBE, while the Net Zero Hubs continue to provide the specialist support, advice and local expertise that community energy organisations need to develop strong applications and deliver successful projects.
Applicants may seek help with their application before applying:
- In England, the five Local Net Zero Hub provide free support and advice
- In Wales, support is available through the Welsh Government Energy Service.
- In Northern Ireland, support is available through Advice NI.
The GBECF is administered by the Central Grants & Loans (CGL) team, which is part of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. Formal queries relating to the application process (deadlines, submission routes, and forms) should be directed to Localgrants@gbe.gov.uk
Deadline: Thursday, 12 November 2026 (23:55).
Contact information: The Great British Energy Community Fund is now open - Community Energy England
Website: The Great British Energy Community Fund is now open - Community Energy England