Local Power Plan and co-operatives

The Government’s Local Power Plan has now been published. It is proposing £1bn of new funding to support over 1,000 local energy projects by 2030.  

Their vision is that ‘By 2030, every community in the UK, will have the opportunity to own a local energy project’. It talks of giving power back to communities through community ownership of energy assets.  

We know the community benefit society and co-operative society legal models are ideal ways of bringing this to life for communities, with their unique ability to both raise money from community investors and have a democratic ownership structure regardless of amounts invested.  

Co-operatives UK has extensive experience of supporting community energy organisations to set up and raise capital through our Business Support for Co-ops programmes and the Community Shares Booster Fund.

Local Power Plan and co-operatives: How we can help

The details of the new funding are still being developed by GB Energy; however we have lots of support and inspiration to get your started.

Upcoming webinars 

We will be holding a webinar about the Local Power Plan and what it means for Co-operatives. It will be listed on our events calendar. Sign up for updates to be the first to hear.

Governance discussions and registration of new societies

Co-operatives UK is the leading provider of new registrations of co-operative with a full suite of model rules and an in-house dedicated advice team. Thanks to a subsidy from The Co-operative Bank you can register your co-op with us for just £200+VAT which also gives you one year of free Co-operatives UK membership. Find out how to register your co-operative.

Governance reviews

Are you an established organisation that needs to review its operations and governance processes and structures. We have a whole Board Effectiveness Review service to do just that.

Business planning and share offer development

Do you need expert advice and help to plan out, write, review and launch a share offer? It might be around financial projections, business planning or what route your share offer should take? We have a team of Community Shares practitioners who can help you get started, contact us to find out more.

Community Energy Standard Mark assessment

Raising investment from your community through community shares is a serious business. Give both your fellow directors and your community the confidence that your share offer document is following best practice. 

The Community Shares Standard Mark is the only nationally recognised standard of good practice. You can now buy one directly from Co-operatives UK.

Become a Co-operatives UK member

Join the biggest network of co-operatives in the UK to get connected with the wider movement. See the benefits of membership.