Working together to create net zero neighbourhoods.

We support Local Authorities and businesses to scale up the community energy sector in their area. We combine community engagement, mentoring and business development with building regional community energy capacity.

Do you want to empower your local community to help deliver your region’s climate change strategy and achieve your Net Zero target?

Our tried and tested Community Energy Pathways programme will help you build the capacity that you need. We deliver mentoring, business planning, project development support, fundraising, governance advice, networking and linking to other projects.

Joining us on our Community Energy Pathways Programme will support your region to achieve net zero by inspiring and motivating local climate action. We will work with you to establish a thriving community energy network in your county. It can take several years to establish an active community energy group so we work to make this happen faster.

The Community Energy Pathways programme

The Community Energy Pathways programme can help local people to set up community solar initiatives, innovative heat projects and electric vehicle charging. Our programme supports groups to offer vital energy efficiency advice and support for the vulnerable, resulting in lower energy bills.

Our goal is to develop a thriving community energy sector and ensure that local authorities meet their Net Zero ambitions, in line with their energy and climate change strategies.

Our vision is that every District or Borough should benefit from community energy groups and each Unitary, Metropolitan Authority and County Council should include a Community Energy Network (Steering Group) to empower energy communities and support the region to achieve Net Zero.

Hampshire County Council have been working with Community Energy South since 2021 and have seen the community energy sector in the county go from strength to strength. Starting from next to nothing, CES have helped five communities build the skills, knowhow, and capacity to found their own community energy groups. These companies are reaching deep into communities to support people with their energy needs and have been actively pursuing energy generation opportunities.

CES have provided the expertise and guiding hand that the council could not and have been instrumental in the early success of the Hampshire Community Energy Network.
Danny Olsson, Delivery Manager, Hampshire County Council

National Support for Community Energy

The map below highlights the local authorities which have already adopted our Pathways programme – Central Bedfordshire, Essex, Hampshire, Suffolk, Surrey and South Downs National Park – and we are working with many others who are keen to do the same.

All local authorities are invited to join the programme.

Please register your interest to find out more.

Our digital map shows you where all the existing community energy groups are based within each local authority area. From this map you can click through to Community Energy England’s interactive map, which has a comprehensive dataset, to help you see community energy prospects, groups and opportunities in your area.