Under the banner of ‘creating local energy’, its groundbreaking projects have created jobs and training for young people, tackled fuel poverty, and delivered funds for local initiatives – helping build a clean, local and affordable energy future for everyone.  

Crucially, Repowering London’s inclusive approach has helped communities that have been habitually under-represented to get involved in local clean energy schemes. Its recent innovation includes new models for financing urban solar projects, and for integrating community engagement, codesign and financial modelling into broader projects creating greener homes, improving health outcomes and tackling fuel poverty.  

Community energy co-ops fund neighbourhood improvements

Repowering London’s biggest achievements to date include supporting the establishment of 11 community energy co-operatives across London. Primarily funded by small-scale investors, these have the capacity to generate more than 1MW of solar energy and are expected to avoid more than 900 tonnes of carbon emissions. The co-ops have brought solar panels to the roofs of housing estates, schools and community centres.  

Residents lead the co-operatives, and profits from the sale of energy (after investors receive a small return) are fed back into other community initiatives. About £250,000 has been earmarked for these community funds so far. The work backed by these funds includes home energy efficiency support for social housing residents – helping people cut their bills and make their properties healthier and more comfortable. 

Engaging communities, supporting young people

As a partner in the government’s Local Area Retrofit Accelerator project, Repowering London is bringing its community engagement expertise to the urgent challenge of upgrading the nation’s homes. Repowering London goes the extra mile to engage residents. It supports paid ‘community leads’ that drive forward new co-ops in new areas, and draws in residents with inspiring approaches, like creative energy clubs that mix art and energy. And it offers a £1 co-op membership, meaning people don’t have to invest in order to shape how the co-ops are run.  

Supporting young people is at the heart of Repowering London’s work. This includes paid and accredited training programmes, internships and mentoring related to clean energy. So far, more than 150 young people have taken part in these initiatives. The organisation has also run inspiring dramabased workshops in local schools, reaching many more young people.  

2023 saw the launch of Voyage to Repower, a year-long programme that gives 16 to 24 year-olds who are not in employment, education or training an intensive introduction to green industries, followed by ongoing mentoring. 83% of trainees taking part in its most recent programme in Lambeth secured jobs.  

Financial innovation – and plans for expansion

Repowering has also created Repowering Finance – a fast-track financing pathway that allows co-ops to access up-front funding for installations that can later be brought into community ownership through community share offers. This speeds up the growth and spread of projects, by decoupling the installation and fundraising stages. London’s local authorities are key partners in Repowering London’s work. Its collaboration with councils includes a major project with Newham Council launched in April 2025 and supported by the National Lottery Community Fund.  

This project will pilot the ‘Repowered Community’ – a holistic, neighbourhood-based approach that integrates community-owned rooftop solar and green heating, home energy efficiency improvements, and fuel poverty support. The project will result in a toolkit with the aim of allowing every urban community in the UK to become a Repowered Community. 

How has Ashden supported Repowering London’s growth?

Since Repowering London won its first Ashden Award in 2016, the total energy-generating capacity of its projects has grown by about 300% – and is set to double again in 2026. The organisation credits the award win for bringing important publicity and prestige, and unlocking new relationships and networks.

Visit Repowering London’s website here.

Check out the rest of our fantastic winners from the 2025 Ashden Awards here.