Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to incentivise collaboration between community energy organisations and local authorities in order to deliver renewable energy targets at a local level.

DESNZ is supporting local government capacity work, including funding Regen to deliver training and guidance for planners on renewable energy and storage technologies. This will provide invaluable capacity support when partnering with community energy groups on projects.

In addition, the Local Power Plan, backed by up to £1 billion of funding from Great British Energy (GBE), sets out plans to support local projects. This includes GBE’s Partnerships Grant which will fund joint Local Government and Community Energy Projects – more detail expected later this year.

Alongside direct investment, GBE will also provide a team of experts to help communities plan and build their projects. GBE will act as a convener and coordinator to connect communities, community energy groups, local government and others to help projects to be developed.