The Government has launched a consultation to gather views on how local communities can take charge of managing and generating their own energy.

Views on how local communities can take charge of managing and generating their own energy are being sought by the Government, ahead of the UK’s first ever Community Energy Strategy.


This will also deliver a commitment in the Coalition Agreement to encourage community-owned renewables schemes where local people benefit from the power produced. 

This comes as new research by Databuild Research and Solutions supported by the Energy Saving Trust showed concerns about energy bills as the number one driver for people to get involved in community energy projects. Environmental and social reasons are also cited as important factors.


There are a growing number of community energy projects across the country, from community-run advice services to hydro power turbines in local streams powering hundreds of homes. To reconnect more communities to the energy they use, the Government is looking for views from a range of people and groups to help ensure the new Community Energy Strategy can inspire as many new projects as possible. 

If your community is interested please go here and complete online by 1 August 2013. 
DECC will publish the Community Energy Strategy in the Autumn.