Community Energy: Powering Local Places, Together
The UK's energy system is changing. And community energy is one of the most exciting parts of that story. It puts people right at the centre generating power that flows back into the communities that need it most, building local resilience, and helping the country hit its net-zero goals. Not bad for a bunch of wind turbines and solar panels.
Your Co-op Energy and Octopus Energy are big believers in community energy. Because when energy works for people and the planet, that’s when things really get interesting.
By funding and using local renewable power from the community, for the community, when the sun shines, the wind blows and rivers run, we can take the pressure off the national grid and save the world from using even more fossil fuels.
Greg Jackson, Octopus Energy Founder and CEO
Community energy is about giving power back, in every sense of the word. It allows people to see the direct benefits of renewable generation in their own communities, whether that’s supporting local projects, tackling fuel poverty, or investing in a cleaner future. By working together, we can build an energy system that is fairer, more resilient, and rooted in the places it serves.
Kathryn Shepherd, Head of Partnerships and Projects of Your Co-op Energy
What is Community Energy?
Community energy is about people owning, running, and benefiting from renewable energy projects (wind, solar, hydro).
These projects might include wind turbines, solar farms or hydro schemes, with profits reinvested locally: supporting social initiatives, fuel poverty projects, education, or funding the next clean energy project.
Unlike traditional energy models, community energy keeps value local , empowering residents and organisations to have a real stake in how energy is produced and used. We believe that's how energy should work.
Why Community Energy Matters
Community energy delivers benefits on multiple levels:
It keeps money in the community. Revenue generated by community energy stays local, funding community spaces, sustainability projects, advice services, or help households struggling with energy costs. Real social value alongside real environmental impact.
It helps us get to net-zero, faster. Community-owned renewables contribute directly to decarbonising the energy system. By generating clean electricity locally, these projects reduce reliance on fossil fuels and help build a more distributed, resilient energy system - a key part of the UK’s long-term energy strategy.
How You can Get Involved
You don’t need to own land or develop a renewable project to support community energy. One of the simplest and most impactful ways is through the energy tariff you choose.
Your Co-op Energy’s Community Power Tariff
The Community Power Tariff makes supporting community energy easy. When you switch to this tariff, you help ensure that electricity is sourced from community-owned renewable generators across the UK.
By choosing Community Power, you are:
☀️ Supporting local renewable projects
💸 Helping reinvest energy profits into communities
⚡️ Playing an active role in the transition to a fairer energy system
Switching is simple, and the impact is meaningful.
Your Co-op Energy and Octopus Energy are proud to work in partnership with community energy generators to help scale this model — so more people, in more places, can be part of the transition.
A real-world example:
Westmill Energy wind and solar co-operatives
Established in 2004, Westmill Wind Farm Co-operative was the first community-owned wind farm in the South of England. The wind farm is home to 5 Siemens wind turbines, producing an average of about of 8.2 GWh per year.
In 2012, Westmill Solar Co-operative joined the picture, and now generates about 4.5 GWh/year through 20,000 PV panels. That’s enough to power about 1,600 homes each year!
Owned by over 2,500 members, Westmill generates clean electricity for thousands of homes while reinvesting surplus income into local projects and renewable initiatives. Westmill Energy demonstrates what’s possible when communities are empowered to lead the energy transition themselves.
Published on 4th December 2019 by:
Hey I'm Constantine, welcome to Octopus Energy!
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