The UK energy landscape is set for a transformation with the newly announced Local Power Plan (LPP). Spearheaded by the government and Great British Energy (GBE), this initiative promises to unleash the potential of community-owned renewable energy with a historic investment of up to £1 billion.
As a Bristol-based company celebrating 30 years of excellence in the solar industry, we at SolarSense welcome this ambitious strategy. It aligns perfectly with what we have championed since 1995: empowering businesses, public organisations, and local communities to generate their own clean, affordable power.
What is the Local Power Plan?
Launched in February 2026, the Local Power Plan aims to ensure that by 2030, every community in the UK has the opportunity to own a local energy project. The plan shifts the energy system from a traditional one-way street to a model where power is owned and controlled by the people who use it.
The government has set a bold target to support over 1,000 local and community projects by 2030. To achieve this, GBE is rolling out a comprehensive support package designed to eliminate the hurdles that have historically held back community energy:
Direct Funding & Finance: A dedicated “Capital Toolkit” launching in Summer 2026 will offer grants for early-stage feasibility and loans for construction.
Technical Expertise: A “Community Energy in a Box” toolkit and access to in-house specialists will provide the standardised templates and commercial advice needed to turn ideas into reality.
Shared Ownership Models: New frameworks will allow community groups to invest in and co-own larger commercial renewable projects.
A Spotlight on Bristol’s Pioneering Spirit
We were proud to see our home city of Bristol recognised in the Local Power Plan’s launch. The government specifically cited the Lawrence Weston community energy project as a pioneering example. This resident-driven initiative successfully built England’s largest community-owned onshore wind turbine, demonstrating the transformative impact of local ownership in the South West.
We have spent three decades delivering commercial solar installations that echo this spirit. Our founder, Stephen Barrett, was recently honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award at Solar & Storage Live 2025, a testament to our technical rigour and long-term commitment to the UK’s net-zero transition.
Opportunities for Commercial and Public Sectors
The Local Power Plan isn’t just for residential groups; it offers significant opportunities for local authorities, schools, and commercial businesses.
Shared Ownership: This model allows community groups to invest in a project alongside a developer. This can unlock larger sites that a community couldn’t deliver alone, while ensuring financial benefits—like lower bills and local revenue—stay in the area.
Public Sector Savings: Building on existing work like the Solar Partnerships Scheme, which has already cut bills for over 250 schools and 260 NHS sites, the LPP will further facilitate solar on public buildings to free up capital for core services.
Smart Local Energy Systems (SLES): GBE will explore “Smart Community Energy” models, enabling groups to share power locally and save on electricity bills through smart grids and battery storage.
Transform Your Overheads into an Asset
How SolarSense Can Help
With the GBE Capital Toolkit set to launch this summer, now is the time to prepare. Whether you are a local authority looking to install solar across public buildings or a community group seeking a technical partner for a shared ownership scheme, SolarSense is ready to help.
As a Certified B Corp and Employee-Owned Trust, we prioritize social and environmental value alongside engineering excellence. We can support your project through:
Feasibility & Design: We help you assess site viability, a critical step for securing GBE “emergence and development grants”.
Installation Excellence: Our 30-year track record ensures your community asset is built to the highest safety and performance standards.
Long-term Maintenance: We provide the ongoing O&M services required to protect the yield of your investment for decades to come.
Contact the SolarSense team today to discuss how the Local Power Plan could benefit your organisation or community group.