About Community Energy

What Is Community Energy

Community Energy is about local people taking local action – to tackle climate change, energy security, and the cost of living in their local area by creating and owning community renewable energy installations. These benefit both the recipients of the electricity and the wider community benefits through the spending of excess income generated on local community projects (after re-paying their investor members). 

Who Is Doing Community Energy Projects?

Most Community Energy organisations are Community Benefit Societies (CBSs), established and run by volunteers from the local community. The purpose of a CBS is to serve the broader interests of the community. CBSs normally have members and investors who hold shares and have voting rights. Excess income generated by a community benefit society must be used for the benefit of the community. However, interest on share capital is treated an operating expense, which is key for investors. 

Why Do They Need Investors?

Running a Community Energy CBS is usually managed by through a combination of grant income and volunteers’ time and expertise given for free. Community Energy CBSs need investors to fund the cost of the renewable energy installations that they have developed. 

FAQs

New to investing or want to learn more? Browse our FAQs or check out our blog to learn the basics of investing in community energy projects.

Here! The mission of the Club is to be the best possible resource for people interested in investing in Community Energy and community for people who have in invested in Community Energy projects and organisations. 

The Club is new (launched July 2024) so features and information will be added constantly over time. If you have any question(s) not answered in these FAQs please let us know and we will try to respond directly as well as add the question and answer to the FAQs, as appropriate. Thanks! 

Blog And Latest News

2025 Spring Statement

Is GB Energy perhaps a pivotal moment in the community energy movement's history?

Community Energy Investment "101"

Learn the basics about investing in community energy projects.