Energy & Climate
Using waste heat
New research finds waste heat from data centres could heat over 3.5 million UK homes.
9 February 2026
Today (10 Feb), Great British Energy and the government will publish the Local Power Plan, the biggest public investment in community energy in this country’s history.
Backed by funding of up to £1 billion, the plan will help support locally owned clean energy generation projects such as solar on community buildings like libraries, leisure centres and miners’ welfare clubs.
It positions ownership as ‘a transformative tool to build the wealth of local areas – giving people a stake in the places they live and generating pride, respect and local prosperity that can’t be dismantled.’
‘It’s brilliant to see some real money being invested in community clean energy projects. We look forward to seeing more solar panels on libraries and hydro-power projects pumping out cheap, clean energy for local residents. Schemes like these don’t just keep the lights on for less – they show how climate action is practical and achievable.
‘While this is a hugely welcome step, to really electrify this initiative it’s vital that local energy projects are nurtured with concessional loans as well as rapid connections to the grid. And the ability to sell the power that is generated to local residents would provide even more benefits to communities. The government could also go further by requiring all new schools, hospitals and libraries to be fitted with solar panels and batteries from day one.’
DR DOUGLAS PARR
Greenpeace UK’s Director of Policy
Community ownership is already transforming Britain – through community-owned pubs, leisure centres and libraries; in the UK’s thousands of cooperative businesses and its proud cooperative movement and in the pioneering community energy projects, from Lawrence Weston in Bristol to the Isle of Skye Cooperative in the Hebrides.
Community-owned energy is the norm in other countries. In Germany, for example, around two-fifths of installed renewable energy generation capacity is citizen-owned.
Despite its huge potential, for too long community energy in this country has been held back by a lack of funding, advice and central government support.
The purpose of the Local Power Plan is to unleash the untapped dynamism, resources and enthusiasm of our communities, backed by up to £1 billion of funding from Great British Energy to support local projects that will cut bills and grow community wealth.
‘Britain’s drive for clean energy is about answering the call for a different kind of economy that works for the many, not just the wealthy and powerful in our society. Local and community energy is at the heart of our government’s vision.
‘With the biggest ever investment in community energy in Britain’s history, this government is saying to every local community: we want you to be able to own and control clean energy so the profits flow into your community not simply out to the big energy companies.
‘By giving local people the chance to take control of their energy, this government is making a fundamental choice to transfer wealth and power back to communities across Britain.’
ED MILIBAND
Energy Secretary
Last month delivered a record-breaking offshore wind auction, and today the government awarded contracts to a record supply of renewables projects, including 157 solar developments across England, Scotland and Wales.
Great British Energy aims to support an initial 1,000 clean energy projects, helping to deliver clean power by 2030 while improving energy security for the whole country and protecting billpayers.
The projects will be developed and led by communities or local government who best know how to deliver for their area, or alternatively allow people to buy shares in nearby renewable projects on a larger scale.
‘Communities are at the heart of Great British Energy’s mission. Local and community projects create cleaner, more secure and more affordable energy for our communities.
‘We are investing up to £1 billion into community and local energy projects so that people up and down the country can feel the benefit of public ownership with purpose.’
DAN MCGRAIL
Great British Energy CEO
Research has found that community energy groups play a key role reinvesting revenues locally, and that people involved in community energy activities reported feeling a greater sense of community pride, empowerment and cohesion.
Community-owned projects also tend to support more jobs than non-locally owned projects, and can boost local employment locally.
This is part of government’s plan to double the co-operative sector to support communities to thrive. It comes alongside the government’s £5 billion Pride in Place programme; following the announcement to expand the programme last week, 284 communities across the UK will take control of £20 million each over the next decade, to invest in local priorities like creating new green spaces and reinvigorating high streets.
‘Strong communities are the backbone of our society. When they’re thriving, we are all better for it.
‘Our Pride in Place programme backs communities with the tools and funding they need so that community centres can be built for neighbours to meet, football pitches can be maintained for local teams to play, and young people can pick up hobbies and make lifelong friends.
‘The Local Power Plan takes this further – empowering communities by giving them ownership of their own clean energy and keeping the wealth it generates right where it belongs.’
MIATTA FAHNBULLEH
Minister for Devolution, Faith and Communities
The Local Power Plan will help address barriers currently holding back many community energy projects. These range from financial and regulatory hurdles to a lack of commercial or technical expertise.
People can express their interest in funding and advice on building clean energy projects in their town or village through Great British Energy, which plans to become a ‘one-stop shop’ for local energy. This marks a more joined-up and comprehensive offer to support the delivery of community energy projects across the UK.
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