This new £10 million Government fund is a welcome boost to the stalled community energy sector, but market reform is still needed for it to realise its full potential.

Below are statements made by some of the members of the Energy Bill Committee in regard to clauses 272 and 273 to enable more community energy. These clauses brought forward the ideas of the Local Electricity Bill, which is supported by a cross-party group of 323 MPs.

Tomorrow, community energy enabling clauses 272 and 273 will be debated in Parliament by the Energy Bill committee.

A briefing on clauses 272 and 273 of the Government’s Energy Bill, aimed at achieving the huge potential for growth in community energy schemes across the UK. These clauses take forward the ideas of the Local Electricity Bill, supported by a cross-party group of 323 MPs.

The Community Energy Revolution is a nationwide campaign calling for new legislation to enable smaller-scale renewable energy schemes – especially ones owned and run by community groups – to sell the electricity they generate to local customers.

On 24th May, Power for People attended the Sheila McKechnie Foundation Campaign Awards and were honoured to win the David and Goliath Award, which celebrates small campaign groups that take on bigger organisations and challenge vested power.

Last month, the Energy Bill had its first House of Commons debate. This is a proposed new law from the Government that, because of our efforts, now contains the legislative wording we are calling for to enable growth in community renewable energy.

We ask all supportive MPs to attend the second reading of the Energy Bill in the House of Commons, on Tuesday 9th May, and speak in favour of them.

With the successful vote in the House of Lords two weeks ago, we took a great stride forward in our campaign.

“Local engagement in this campaign has really been such a game changer. It is so important to have supporters from the grassroots pushing this Bill to the top of the political tray.”

Power for People have devised two amendments to the Government’s Energy Bill for consideration at Committee Stage (which commenced on 5th September). They take forward the ideas of the Local Electricity Bill, backed by 311 MPs of all major parties.

For the Government to meet its Net Zero Strategy and hit the Net Zero Target, it needs a portfolio of ambitious measures at both national and local level. National targets largely based on clean technologies are receiving significant focus.

Despite very short notice, the turnout at last Tuesday’s debate – 30th November - for the Local Electricity Bill was excellent. MPs from all parties spoke in favour of the Bill as key to unblocking community energy.

While the UN Climate Summit (COP26) takes place in Glasgow, politicians will be keen to show their commitment to climate action. This is an opportunity for you to be a climate leader in your local area.

You might be one of the lucky people whose MP says yes after a single message. More likely though, you’ll need to be more persistent than that - so please persist.