29. April 2026

GB Energy visits local community energy projects

GB Energy launched its much-anticipated Local Power Plan in February this year, setting out “up to” £1 billion in funding for community and local energy projects over the next four years — the largest investment in community energy in UK history.

Although the announcement has been a long time coming and further detail is still to follow, it sets out an ambitious vision and provides greater clarity on the role GB Energy (GBE) will play.

NICE welcomed the opportunity to meet members of the GBE team during their two-day visit, which focused in particular on engaging with local community energy projects.

“This is about working closely with community groups, local authorities and devolved governments across the UK to deliver a bottom-up approach — not just to publicly owned energy, but to energy that is owned and shaped by communities themselves.”

NICE Deputy Chair Karen Arbuckle met the GBE team at one of Drumlin Wind Energy Co-op’s turbines at Ballyrobert, where Chair Anne Ford and BREESI Schools Programme Coordinator Stephen [surname] provided an overview of the wind generation project and they’re also powering a community fund that supports several initiatives, including renewable energy education in schools.. After a brief stop to warm up and dry off, Karen brought the group to Ballymacash Sports Academy for a tour of the new facility. There, Sports Academy Manager Laura [surname] explained how solar and battery installations are significantly reducing energy costs, enabling investment in a new supporters’ stand, community hall, allotments, and the delivery of energy advice clinics.