What is community energy?
Community energy refers to locally-owned and locally-led energy projects, typically renewable energy installations like solar and wind, but can also include energy efficiency and fuel poverty programmes. It allows people and communities to take control over their energy future, by understanding, generating, using, owning, and saving energy in their communities. Projects can provide communities with long-term sources of income which can then be re-invested back into the local area.
Examples of community energy projects include installing solar PV on community buildings like village halls, pubs, schools, leisure centres, or large commercial roofs, selling the energy generated back to the site or the grid and using the income or savings gained to re-invest back into the community.
What is East Suffolk’s Community Energy Programme?
Launched in April 2026, East Suffolk's Community Energy Programme will support the delivery of community-owned and led renewable energy projects – empowering communities to create a more sustainable energy system alongside offering local benefits.
Who are our partners?
Following a competitive bidding process, a consortium led by the Centre for Sustainable Energy has been chosen to deliver the project alongside Community Energy England and Ashden.
As well as bringing experience in the community energy space, the three organisations include locally-based partners with a number of connections to existing groups across the district.
The Centre for Sustainable Energy consortium will support existing community groups in East Suffolk, as well as identifying and encouraging new groups through its ‘Future Energy Landscapes’ and ‘Community Energy Go’ pathways. These will help progress projects through the technical feasibility stage to submitting grant bids and ultimately installing community-owned energy assets.
How can I get involved?
East Suffolk Council hosted an in-person launch event for existing community energy groups and others interested in May 2026. We will hold further sessions in 2026, please get in contact if you have any suggestions.
Please get in touch with us directly if you are an existing community energy group in East Suffolk who is not already engaged in the programme.
East Suffolk Council also encourages any community organisations in East Suffolk which may be interested in launching a community energy project to get in touch.
Equally, there is support available to anyone interested in setting up a new community energy group and getting involved in locally-owned energy installations.
Contact us: climate.sustainability@eastsuffolk.gov.uk.
What resources are available to learn more about community energy?
- There are a number of community energy resources available on the Centre for Sustainable Energy’s website, including guides and toolkits, as well as a solar PV assessment tool designed to help homeowners and communities evaluate the potential for solar power installations.
- The Centre for Sustainable Energy has a website providing information about their Future Energy Landscape project. As well as providing access to resources and information on how to get involved, there is a page specifically for community energy groups across East Suffolk – please check here for updates to the Programme.
- Community Energy England provides advice, tools and guidance for community energy groups and runs the Energy Learning Network (ELN) with its partners – a UK-wide collaboration to boost the skills, confidence and capability of the community energy sector to grow and scale across the whole country. The Energy Learning Network includes a mentoring programme providing tailored one‑to‑one support and a technical helpline for queries.