In February Great British Energy (GBE) and the government published the Local Power Plan, backed by funding of up to £1 billion. This is to help support locally-owned clean energy generation projects such as solar on community buildings like libraries, leisure centres and other large buildings. The aim of this is the enable local communities to own and control their own energy projects.

There are already examples of community energy projects, such as Lawrence Weston in Bristol; the Isle of Skye Cooperative in the Hebrides; and Westmill Energy in Oxfordshire. The principle of community owned energy projects is common in Germany, where about two-fifths of renewable energy capacity is community owned. GBE supports local projects that will help cut bills and grow community wealth. The GBE and government’s vision is that every community in the UK will be able to own and benefit from local energy project by 2030. Maybe there will be opportunities for a community energy scheme in Wellington.

There is some general information about clean energy options on the renewables page.