Power to the People: The Historic £1 Billion Boost for Community Energy

Why This Matters for Forest Row

There is a major shift happening in how we think about energy in the UK, and it is one that puts our community right at the heart of it. While we have recently discussed the broader £15 billion Warm Homes Plan to upgrade five million homes, a specific and transformative part of this strategy has just been unveiled: The Local Power Plan.

Backed by up to £1 billion in new funding from Great British Energy, this plan represents the biggest public investment in community energy in British history. For us here in Forest Row, it marks a generational opportunity to take back control of our power, reduce our bills, and build lasting local wealth.

What is the Local Power Plan?

The Local Power Plan is designed to unleash the "untapped dynamism" of communities by supporting locally owned clean energy projects. Instead of profits flowing out to large, international energy firms, this initiative ensures that the benefits of clean power stay right where they are generated.

Great British Energy is becoming a "one-stop shop" for local energy, providing the funding, commercial expertise, and technical advice that has often been a barrier for community groups in the past.

The government's goal is to support an initial 1,000 clean energy projects by 2030. These could include:

• Solar panels on community buildings like our local libraries, leisure centres, and social clubs.

• Energy projects for places of worship, helping them reduce running costs and reinvest in community outreach.

• Shared ownership opportunities, where residents can buy shares in larger local renewable projects.

Building Community Wealth

At Forest Row Energy (FRECL), our mission has always been "energy that costs less to us and the environment". We believe that ownership is a powerful tool. When a community owns its energy generation, it creates a sense of "Pride in Place".

Research shows that people involved in community energy feel a greater sense of empowerment and cohesion. Furthermore, these projects typically support more local jobs than non-locally owned alternatives.

We have already seen the impact of this approach nearby. Our partners at OVESCO in Lewes (whom we work with closely) were recently approved for a £40,000 grant for a multi-technology feasibility project. This is exactly the kind of momentum we want to build here in the village.

The FRECL Approach: "Powering Down" Before "Powering Up"

While this billion-pound investment in community generation is exciting, we must remember our core principle: Powering Down comes first.

The most cost-effective way to lower your bills and carbon footprint is to ensure your building is as efficient as possible. Before looking at large-scale solar arrays, we always advise residents and local organisations to look at:

1. Draught-proofing and insulation: Stopping heat from escaping in the first place.

2. Thermal camera scan of your home: Understanding how your building uses and loses energy.

3. Smart controls: Using energy only when and where it is needed.

What Happens Next?

The schemes for this new funding will launch later this year, with grants specifically targeted at underserved areas or places that haven't had much community energy activity yet.

As your local, not-for-profit cooperative, we are here to help you navigate these new opportunities. We are not salespeople and we do not install equipment: we provide impartial, honest advice to help our neighbours make the best choices for their homes and community assets.