Community Power Club
Power Back Community Energy
The generators we work with
Corporate Volunteering
Community Energy Kickstart case study
Powering Communities Fund case studies
Community energy blogs
Community energy events
What is community energy?
Our team
What Is Community Energy?
People across the UK are starting to believe that community energy is the way forward, and it makes total sense.
It’s about local people owning, running, and benefiting from renewable energy projects. It’s about giving power back to communities and supporting those around you.
Sounds good, right? Let’s dive in and see what it’s all about!
The different types of community energy
Groundmount solar
Solar arrays built on open land, often on farmland or disused sites.
Rooftop solar
Panels on schools, community halls and warehouse roofs.
Wind
Community-owned turbines, often found in rural areas.
Hydro
Small-scale schemes generating power from rivers and waterways.
How it actually works
1. A community raises funds
Local people come together, set up an organisation and work together to raise the money needed to get a renewable project started.
2. The project is built
Solar panels go up on a school roof, a turbine is installed, or a small hydro scheme is built on a local river.
3. Clean energy is generated and sold
The project generates renewable power, which is sold on — this is where Younity comes in, through a bespoke Power Purchase Agreement.
4. Profits are reinvested locally
The money raised goes back into the community — after-school clubs, food banks, and energy advice sessions.
.svg)
£1.8 million saved
on energy bills by the community energy sector in 2024
.svg)
210,000 homes powered
community energy generated enough clean electricity to power hundreds of thousands of homes.
£24 million raised
For new projects across the UK in 2024 alone
120,000
tonnes of carbon saved in 2024
A real community energy project in action
Our friends at Energy Garden used our Power Communities Fund to launch their Youth Training Programme, a hands-on scheme for young Londoners to get them upskilled and into jobs in the environmental sector.
Ways to get involved
Volunteer your skills
Find a local group that needs your help through Community Energy Connect, our free volunteering platform.
Switch your energy tariff
Power your home with 100% community-generated electricity through the Community Power Tariff.
Meet the groups we support
See the real community energy projects already making a difference across the UK.
Common questions
What makes community energy different from traditional energy projects?
Community energy projects are typically owned by local communities and operate as no-profit entities, rather than large companies. This allows for more direct control over energy production and distribution, meaning the benefits of renewable energy stay within the community.
Is the community energy sector growing?
Yes, each year we see more groups getting involved in community energy projects. During the most recent census there were over 600 groups across the UK, a 24% rise from 2021.
Are community energy groups run by volunteers?
Yes, most community energy groups are run by volunteers who are passionate about renewable energy and their local community. In fact volunteers make up 80% of the sector.
How do these groups make money?
Once set up and ready for a project, groups will raise the money publically through their members. When they've raised the funds and the project is installed they can sell the energy they generate through a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA).
More in our Information Hub
Want to learn more? Our information hub is packed with blogs, news, and events!
Supporting community-owned projects
We support almost 350 community energy projects across the country - and yours could be next!
