The Energy Learning Network

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The Network

Events

Support

Resources

Collaborate

News

The Energy Learning Network

The Energy Learning Network is powering forward community energy projects across the UK.

The network is a collaboration between climate solutions charity Ashden, the Centre for Sustainable Energy , and leading community energy bodies in every UK nation: Community Energy England, Community Energy Scotland, Community Energy Wales and Northern Ireland’s Action Renewables.

We support people and organisations to take action on energy in their communities, while working with councils, stakeholders and other enablers to create the conditions for community energy to grow and thrive.

Events

The ELN hosts free, open access webinars and training events.

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Support

Access free mentoring and our technical helpline to develop projects.

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Resources

View the ELN resource directory and featured tools and guidance.

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The Energy Learning Network Events

We deliver UK-wide and country-specific online events to share learning and best practice.

Upcoming free events

By signing up to one of our Energy Learning Network events you are agreeing to our privacy policy. You can view the Energy Learning Network’s privacy policy here. We use your data to stay in touch with you about Energy Learning Network events and activities, and to evaluate the services we provide. We never give your data to third parties. 

7 October: 13:00 - 14:00 PM

Community solar on council assets for Local Authorities

Webinar showcasing the ‘Community Solar on Council Assets’ toolkit for Local Authorities

This webinar will showcase the ‘Community Solar on Council Assets’ toolkit, developed by Climate Guide, Community Energy Pathways, UK100 and Community Energy England, and funded by the Greater South East Net Zero Hub.

The Event is hosted by CSE on behalf of the Energy Learning Network, a partnership that aims to help more groups, local authorities and business launch or grow schemes that decarbonise the grid, create energy resilience, reduce energy bills, and create meaningful benefits for local people.

The partnership behind the guide - Climate Guide, Community Energy Pathways and UK100 - will be joining us for this workshop to talk us through the new guide and collaborative activities to help you plan your next steps.

Community energy has the potential to help councils decarbonise their estate, reduce bills for community organisations, businesses and residents, and to boost the local economy with new jobs, skills and opportunities. However, too often community solar on councils assets can fall down before it’s had a chance to begin.

With £1bn on offer from GB Energy via the Local Power Plan, councils need to find a pathway forward for community energy to make the most of this funding and support their local community energy sector. That’s why the Greater South East Net Zero Hub published the ‘guide to community solar on council assets’ to help local authorities like yours navigate a path forward. Built from conversations with 150+ council representatives, and designed to help any council role find their way through.

This online workshop is aimed at Council representatives, be it Cabinet members, backbench Councillors, Climate, Finance, Legal or Estates Officers, and by attending you will leave with:

● A clear understanding of how to use the toolkit and accompanying resources

● A bank of evidence and answers to break down the most common barriers to progress

● A pathway forward for a community solar on council assets strategy in your council, no matter your role

Sign up today - and tell your colleagues. This event is for all teams and all roles.

5 November: 12:00 – 13:30 PM

Shared ownership: how to boost community ownership of clean energy

The government is committed to community shared ownership playing a big part in the vast growth in renewable energy this decade, with a target of 8GW of local and community energy by 2030 under the Clean Power 2030 Action Plan, and 1,000 community energy projects under GB Energy’s Local Power Plan. These targets are unlikely to be met without shared ownership.

GB Energy has a presumption of community ownership at the heart of all its investments, and is planning early “stewardship” investment on behalf of communities in large renewable projects.

But what exactly is shared ownership, and how do communities and community energy organisations get involved? What are the risks and benefits? What support is out there?

With experienced practitioners from the sector, we will demystify shared ownership and explain the complexities involved. We’ll show how you can help shape the right policy framework nationally, and how to make shared ownership happen for real in your community.

Speakers include:

Fraser Stewart (GB Energy) on support for shared ownership.
Paul Phare (Energy4All) on experience and learning on the different types of shared ownership.
Harry Lopes (Eden Renewables) on developer experience in shared ownership.
Alex Lockton (Empowered Projects) on the complexities of the shared ownership process.
Danny Olsson (Community Energy Pathways) on their experience of enabling shared ownership.
Katy Barney (freelance community energy practitioner, CEE) on her work on the benefits of shared ownership from the developer’s perspective.

This event is part of the Energy Learning Network, a partnership between climate solutions charity Ashden, the Centre for Sustainable Energy, and leading community energy bodies in every UK nation: Community Energy England, Community Energy Scotland, Community Energy Wales and Northern Ireland’s Action Renewables. The partnership is funded by the National Lottery Community Fund and is working with collaborators from across the community energy sector and beyond.

19 November: 13:00 – 14:00 PM

Community Energy in Action: Opportunities and how to get started in 2027

Are you part of a community organisation, charity, climate group or local network interested in taking practical action on energy?

This introductory online event will help you understand what community energy is, explore approaches that could be adapted to your organisation, and learn about the support available across the UK. It is aimed at organisations that may already deliver projects in areas such as climate, health, wellbeing or the cost of living, but are new to community energy.

Community energy offers a practical, grassroots approach to addressing energy challenges and creating local benefits. This can include renewable energy projects, energy advice services, home retrofit programmes, training in green skills, electric vehicle initiatives, and other community-led solutions.

You will hear real-world examples from organisations already delivering this work and gain a clearer understanding of what is involved in developing a project.

The session will introduce key support programmes, resources, networks and funding opportunities, while providing space to discuss your own ideas with experienced practitioners. An optional ideas clinic at the end of the event will allow participants to explore early-stage ideas in smaller groups, ask questions, and identify practical next steps or sources of further support.

By the end of the session, you will:

Understand the basics of community energy and the impact it can have.
Explore the different types of community energy projects and activities.
Understand the first steps involved in developing an energy project.
Know where to find further support, learning opportunities and funding.
Identify one practical next step for your organisation or community.

Contributors The event is chaired by Nadia Smith (Community energy consultant), with contributions from South East London Community Energy, Burnham and Weston Community Energy, Loco Homes, Co-Charger and Gurdwara Sahib Woolwich.

3 December: 13:00 – 14:00 PM

Peer Learning for People Supporting Community Energy Groups

People supporting community energy groups are often asked to help with a wide range of challenges, from governance and funding to project development, community engagement and technical questions. It is not always easy to identify what support is needed or what should be prioritised.

This peer learning session is for people who directly support community energy groups, including independent consultants, advisers, mentors, development officers, local authority officers and experienced practitioners providing informal support.

The session will create space to share common challenges, exchange tools and approaches, and explore good practice for diagnostic conversations and assessing support needs.

Participants will gain insights into how to provide effective support within the limited time they may have with community groups or people new to the sector.

By the end of the session, participants will:

Gain insights from peers on common challenges and effective support approaches.
Develop a clearer understanding of diagnostic conversations and assessing support needs.
Discover practical tools and resources used by other support providers.

Connect with others supporting community energy groups.

This 75-minute session will include a panel discussion, small-group conversations and opportunities for participants to share tools, resources and experiences with each other.

Panel The session will be chaired by Johannes Moeller, Energy Learning Network Lead, with contributions from Saskya Huggins (Make It Count and Energy Learning Network Mentor), Philip Morris (Empowered), and Alice Wharton (Co-operatives UK and the Community Shares Unit). Hosted by the Energy Learning Network with funding from the National Lottery Community Fund.

26 January: 13:00 – 14:00 PM

Community-led retrofit in 2027: How community organisations can accelerate retrofit and warmer homes

This event will showcase practical approaches to community-led retrofit, exploring how community (energy) organisations can help accelerate warmer homes, improve energy efficiency and reduce household bills in 2027.

The event is for community (energy) organisations interested in doing more to support domestic retrofit, and those who are looking to enable community groups to do so.

The session will create space to hear about current approaches that are impactful and deliverable in 2027, an update on current resources, support and funding opportunities, and an opportunity to ask questions.

By the end of the session, participants will have:

A clearer understanding of what approaches are impactful and deliverable in 2027.
A policy update about the Warm Homes Plan and what the opportunities are for communities to support this.
Connect with people active in the community-led retrofit space - Get an overview of where to find resources, funding and support.

This 60-minute session will include short presentations and an opportunity for discussions and questions.

Contributors include:
Cara Jenkinson, Head of Cities at Ashden
Sara Edmonds, Co-Director of the National Retrofit Hub
Justin Bear, Project Manager Plymouth Energy Community

Explore our library of past events and recorded training sessions from across the Energy Learning Network. These sessions cover both community energy approaches and technologies, as well as the skills and capabilities needed to develop, deliver and grow successful projects.

Community Energy approaches & technologies

Webinars exploring different ways communities can take action on energy, including renewable generation, energy efficiency, heat and local energy solutions.

Intro to Community Action on Energy

On how voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations can start taking practical action on energy.

Love Wind!

On the potential of community-owned onshore wind to deliver clean energy, local resilience and community benefit.

The next phase of community energy: Supermarkets and warehouses (with Ethex)

On the opportunity for community energy groups to unlock large-scale rooftop solar on supermarkets and warehouses.

Community Shared Ownership

On shared ownership models and how communities can invest in, partner on or benefit from renewable energy projects.

Heat Networks

On the role heat networks can play in community energy, including practical examples and delivery challenges.

Community Domestic Retrofitting

On how community organisations can support home energy efficiency and domestic retrofit activity.

Making your community building more energy efficient

On practical ways to reduce energy use, improve comfort and cut running costs in community buildings.

Local Energy Markets

On local energy market models where community energy generation supplies local demand.

Delivering energy advice in the community

On providing trusted local energy advice, including support around bills, efficiency and fuel poverty.

Creating Community Sustainability Hubs

On how local hubs can bring people together around practical climate, energy and sustainability action.

The Power of Batteries

On how Batteries can help your community energy project

Community Power Club

On Younity’s Community Power Club model

Delivery skills & competencies

Build the knowledge, skills and organisational practices needed to develop projects, secure funding, engage communities, govern organisations and deliver lasting impact.

Widening Participation toolkit

On engaging more people in your community.

Social value

On the wider social, economic and environmental value created by community energy.

Governance

On good governance, roles, decision-making and organisational structures for effective delivery.

Community Carbon Auditing Webinar

On community carbon auditing and identifying practical local decarbonisation opportunities.

Long term finance and new energy generation viability

On long-term finance and what makes new community energy generation projects financially viable.

Attract investors and funders to your £150k+ community energy project

On presenting larger community energy projects to attract investors and funders.

Raising finance with investors looking for values-driven community projects

On raising finance from investors interested in values-driven local projects.

Community benefit funds: opportunities and challenges

On using community benefit funds to support local priorities, and the choices involved in managing them.

Community Energy Connect Showcase

On Community Energy Connect and how it can help groups find support, resources and connections.

Muslim Communities and Community Energy

On connecting community energy with Muslim communities, faith spaces and wider community priorities.

Making a business case for community energy projects – solar and wind

On building a clear business case for solar and wind projects, including costs, risks and income assumptions.

Maximising income

On how to maximise income from your community energy project

How IFISAs can support community energy projects and offer tax benefits

Community Energy Support

The ELN also offers practical support to help community groups develop their energy projects. This includes free peer mentoring and a technical helpline, alongside wider work to build sector knowledge, partnerships and peer learning across the UK.

Peer Mentoring

ELN mentoring connects you with an experienced practitioner who provides up to three days of tailored one‑to‑one support. Mentors act as a sounding board and critical friend, helping you navigate challenges in areas such as governance, project development, fundraising, community engagement and technical or regulatory issues. Feedback from mentees is extremely positive: over 80% rated their mentoring “Excellent,” 91% felt more confident delivering projects, and 100% felt more confident taking their next step.

Technical Helpline

The ELN Technical Helpline, delivered by Community Energy Scotland, offers quick, specialist support for specific technical questions. The team can advise on renewable technologies, energy efficiency, monitoring and data, bills and tariffs, feasibility and carbon assessments, grid connections, transport infrastructure and more. Support is designed for focused queries and is available at any project stage – from early ideas to established systems. Submit your query through the helpline form; the technical team may follow up for more information or to arrange a call.

Community Energy Resources

A comprehensive list of community energy guidance split into topics including project management, project finance, grid connection, technology, stakeholder engagement, community buildings and shared ownership.

Featured Resources

The case for community energy

Understanding the added value of a community energy approach and why support for community energy is vital for the success of the UK’s transition to net zero.

Community Energy in Action: Demonstrating the value of community-led solutions to net zero

The energy transition is not just about infrastructure and technology – it is about people, fairness, and building a future where everyone benefits. Community energy is one of the most effective ways to ensure that decarbonisation strengthens communities rather than leaving them behind.

A guide to evidencing the impact of community energy

Community energy organisations play a vital role in shaping a more sustainable, fair,and locally driven energy future. But how can you effectively demonstrate the realdifference your work makes?

The Value of Community Energy: a digest of supporting evidence for the Energy Learning Network

This document, produced by Saskya Huggins on behalf of the Energy Learning Network, it supports our full report on the social, economic and environmental value of a community energy approach.

Partnering to secure funding

Discover how Three Rivers District Council (TRDC) and Grand Union Community Energy (GUCE) have developed a partnership approach to delivering local climate action that makes best use of each organisation’s strengths, demonstrating an effective model for similar collaborations across the UK.

Running a Community Energy Fund

This case study looks at the London Borough of Southwark's £400k community energy fund.

Community energy: Widening Participation

Using this toolkit will help community energy groups increase their impact through greater involvement of people from across their communities.

Further resources can be found on our partner websites:

Action Renewables | Centre for Sustainable Energy | Community Energy England | Community Energy Scotland | Community Energy Wales | Resources | Community Energy Wales | Adnoddau

Collaboration

Collaborate to build a stronger community energy sector

The Energy Learning Network is more than a partnership of organisations; it is shared infrastructure for the UK community energy sector, helping collaborators to share learning, avoid duplication, identify gaps and work together in ways that strengthens the sector as a whole UK wide.

Contact the Energy Learning Network Lead at Ashden to explore collaboration opportunities, including:

Use the network as a platform to share your learning or co-deliver webinars and events.

Partner on our Community Energy resource directory – add your resources to increase uptake.
Collaborate on projects to reduce barriers and accelerate learning for community energy, or explore joint tender opportunities with us.

"Community engagement and consent is essential to achieving the UK’s clean energy goals. Within five years, onshore wind is set to double, and solar to triple - backed by strong public support. Yet progress stalls when communities are excluded, benefits unfairly distributed, and vocal opposition dominates. For 25 years, Ashden has championed community-led energy solutions that empower people and drive local prosperity."

Community Energy Scotland is excited to be part of the Energy Learning Network, working to empower community energy groups with the tools, resources, and networks they need to succeed. Our mission is to expand and diversify our membership by supporting new and emerging groups in developing impactful community energy projects. We are committed to building a thriving community energy sector, unlocking its many benefits for communities across Scotland.

"We are really excited to be part of the partnership delivering this network. Community energy is something CSE has been supporting for a long time and is critical for our transition to a green, smart and fair energy system. By partnering with the other ELN partners, we hope to take our support out to new areas of the community energy sector across the UK."

“We are looking forward to working with our partners across the UK to help strengthen the community energy sector, giving people more control over their energy resources to make a difference locally. At Community Energy Wales our mission is to build a community-led energy system and through the ELN we will be sharing resources to empower and support the creation of new community energy groups where people will feel the direct benefits of local projects."

News

Keep in touch and sign up to direct updates & news Energy Learning Network.

Ashden is a delivery partner in the Energy Learning Network alongside the Centre for Sustainable Energy , and leading community energy bodies in every UK nation: Community Energy England, Community Energy Scotland, Community Energy Wales and Northern Ireland’s Action Renewables.

The Energy Learning Network is funded by the National Lottery Community Fund.

A Climate Action Fund project

It’s made possible by four years of funding, totaling £1.5 million, from the National Lottery Community Fund.

This grant comes from the Climate Action Fund, a £100 million commitment over 10 years from The National Lottery Community Fund to support communities across the UK to take action on climate change and involve more people in climate action. This forms part of one of the funder’s four key missions in its 2030 strategy, ‘It starts with community’ – supporting communities to be environmentally sustainable.   