Repowering London welcomes the launch of the ninth round of the LCEF

Repowering London is delighted to welcome the launch of the ninth round of the London Community Energy Fund (LCEF). The fund from the Mayor of London is helping provide vital funding to get community energy projects up and running faster, particularly in communities that might otherwise struggle to fund such projects. The ninth round opened last week at the start of Community Energy Fortnight, with £1.3m available to London-based community energy projects for feasibility, delivery, and development. This is double the funding available compared with previous rounds.

Community Energy Barnet host a stand at East Finchley Festival during London Climate Action Week

Last week saw London Climate Action Week hold a record number of events in its history. At the same time, a heatwave that broke records in the capital led to the cancellation of several events. This served as a powerful reminder of why accelerating the transition to clean, locally owned energy has never been more important. It couldn’t be a more fitting time for Mayor of London to once again demonstrate leadership in creating a cleaner, fairer energy system.

For just under 10 years the London Community Energy Fund (LCEF) has helped communities transform ambitious ideas into successful community-owned renewable energy projects. It is providing early-stage funding for feasibility studies, i.e. seeing whether it’s possible to build solar panels on sites. Alongside this, the capital investment recognises the specific challenges of working in a hyper urban context. LCEF enables local organisations to develop projects that deliver lasting environmental, social and economic benefits.

"The London Community Energy Fund continues to demonstrate what's possible when public investment is placed directly into the hands of communities. For many projects, this early-stage funding is the catalyst that transforms local ambition into community-owned renewable energy, that delivers benefits for decades to come. At Repowering London, we've seen first-hand how LCEF has helped communities across the capital develop projects that reduce carbon emissions, tackle fuel poverty, strengthen community assets and create lasting local wealth. We warmly welcome the launch of Round 9, and look forward to supporting even more communities to play a leading role in London's transition to a fairer, cleaner energy system. We are particularly pleased to see the fund tangibly supporting the capacity of London's community energy sector by contributing to core costs, and recognising the value the sector can, and will, bring to the future of the energy transition. The Mayor of London has supported us through times when there was no central government support, and it is great to see his ambition for community energy strengthen with the doubling of these major funds."

Afsheen Kabir Rashid MBE, CEO, Repowering London

Local people in Ealing people are already creating community energy through LCEF funding

Repowering London and LCEF

At Repowering London, LCEF has been instrumental in helping us work alongside communities across the capital to develop projects that reduce carbon emissions, tackle fuel poverty, strengthen community assets and put local people at the heart of the energy transition. In Round 8 of the fund, Repowering London successfully secured over £140,000 of grant funding support for projects spanning three London boroughs for seven feasibility studies, and two capital grants. This work with our partners is helping to build a strong pipeline of future installations while bringing several projects into delivery. Read on to learn what they are.

Ealing Community Energy

One of the newest community energy groups supported by Repowering London, Ealing Community Energy secured funding for three feasibility studies across important community epicentres in West London: a community theatre, a leisure centre and a London’s largest Gurdwara. These projects build on the borough’s growing community energy movement.

Community Energy Newham

Over in East London, Community Energy Newham secured capital funding to install solar PV at East Ham Leisure Centre. The project will help reduce the operating costs of this important community facility, lowering energy costs while allowing more resources to be directed towards the services it provides for local residents. Additional feasibility funding has been secured to identify and develop the next generation of community energy opportunities across the borough. This allows the group to build a pipeline of solar projects, essential if London is to unlock the significant untapped potential for community-owned energy.

Community Energy Barnet

In North London, Community Energy Barnet secured funding to explore the potential for a major education site, alongside capital funding for its first community-owned solar installation at Burnt Oak Leisure Centre. Fittingly, installation work here began during Community Energy Fortnight, marking an exciting milestone for one of London’s newest community energy organisations.

Community Energy Newham are one of the groups that have benefited from LCEF funding

"One of the biggest challenges for community energy isn't a lack of ideas—it's securing the resources to develop them. Feasibility funding is often the critical first step that allows communities to assess sites, build partnerships and create projects that are ready for investment. This year's projects in Ealing, Newham and Barnet demonstrate the breadth of opportunity across London. From community theatres and places of worship, to schools and leisure centres, these are the buildings at the heart of local neighbourhoods. It's a privilege to work alongside local residents and community groups to help turn their ambition into projects that will deliver environmental, social and economic benefits for years to come."

Henrietta Dale, Low Carbon Development Programme Manager, Repowering London Tweet

Supporting community energy across London

Community energy projects do far more than generate clean electricity. They reduce energy costs for valued community buildings, keep investment within local communities, create opportunities for local people to participate in the energy transition and build a more resilient, democratic energy system.

In Repowering London’s experience, one of the biggest barriers to delivering community energy is securing the early funding needed to investigate opportunities, undertake technical studies and develop viable projects. The London Community Energy Fund continues to play a crucial role in overcoming this challenge by providing the seed funding that allows community-led ideas to become reality.

As London continues to work towards its climate ambitions, investment in community energy has never been more important. We are proud to continue working alongside communities across the capital to develop projects that put local people at the heart of the transition to a low-carbon future.

Congratulations to all of this Round 8’s successful applicants, and we look forward to seeing another generation of community-owned energy projects take shape across London! Explore some key case studies and an overview of all projects that have received LCEF funding since 2017 below.

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