Community-owned renewable energy developments can generate more than just electricity. By keeping more of the benefits – and profits – within the community, it can help create places that are healthier, fairer and better prepared for the future.

For more than 45 years, the Centre for Sustainable Energy (CSE) has worked alongside communities to develop practical solutions that put people at the heart of the energy transition. We combine hands-on support with research, tools and learning to help communities deliver renewable energy projects that create lasting local benefits.

How we can help you

Every community energy project is unique. Whether you’re taking your first steps or building on an existing project, we’re here to share our knowledge and help you understand your options, build confidence and take the next step.

We provide support in four main ways:

• Practical advice and project support
• Learning, training and peer networks
• Free tools and guidance
• Innovation and research that improves policy and practice

Explore our support and browse our free resources below, or get in touch to discuss a collaboration.

Practical advice and project support

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Community Energy GO

If you’re developing a renewable energy project in England, Community Energy GO provides free expert advice, practical support and signposting.

Whether you’re exploring an idea or already developing a project, the service connects you with practical guidance and trusted expertise to help you move forward.

Find out whether Community Energy GO could support your project.

Future Energy Landscapes

Renewable energy projects work best when communities have a genuine opportunity to shape decisions.

Our award-winning Future Energy Landscapes approach helps local authorities, community organisations and other partners involve local people in meaningful conversations about renewable energy and the future of their area.

Talk to us about how Future Energy Landscapes could support your community or organisation.

Learning, training and peer networks

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Energy Learning Network

Community energy is stronger when groups learn from one another.

The Energy Learning Network is a free UK-wide network where community energy groups can share experience, build skills and solve challenges together through peer learning, mentoring, events and practical resources.

Explore the Energy Learning Network and upcoming opportunities to get involved.

Bespoke training and capability building

Successful community energy projects need more than technical knowledge. They rely on confident people, good partnerships and strong organisations.

We design and deliver training, workshops and facilitated learning and processes that help communities develop the practical, social, technical and financial capabilities needed to deliver successful projects.

Get in touch to discuss your learning, training or support needs.

Free tools and guidance

Over many years we’ve developed practical resources that communities can use to build knowledge, strengthen organisations and develop projects.

Whether you’re thinking about governance, community engagement or renewable energy opportunities, our guides and tools are designed to help you make informed decisions and take practical action.

Featured outputs

Below are our top six tools and guides. You can also explore our wider collection of publications, guides and practical resources and the recordings of previous community energy webinars.

Community Energy Governance Guide

This guide provides tips and links to supportive resources on the topic of governance to community energy organisations.

Future Energy Landscapes

This is a participatory methodology to help communities identify and build support for renewable energy projects.

Widening Participation Toolkit

This toolkit helps community energy groups increase impact through greater involvement of people from across their communities.

Collaboration on Community Energy

A guide for local authorities on working in partnership with community energy groups.

Solar Wizard

Planning a roof-top solar project? Solar Wizard is a free online tool that provides quick estimates on the potential for roof top solar.

Impact Tool

An online tool provides a carbon footprint and basic analysis for every community in the UK.

Innovation and research that improves policy and practice

We combine research with practical experience to understand what helps communities develop successful renewable energy projects.

We are an independent research organisation recognised by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and alongside community partners, local authorities, universities and partners, to test new ideas, evaluate what works and use the evidence to improve policy and practice.

Key outputs

Community Energy for Everyone

Research exploring how to make community energy more inclusive and accessible and what that means in practice for groups, funders and policymakers.

Challenging Power

Participatory research to design more inclusive community energy co-operatives.

‘We Need to Come Together’

An outer suburb of Bristol, Lawrence Weston, has been on an incredible journey and the community is now owner of the UK’s largest onshore wind turbine. This is their story.

Next Generation innovation programme

Learnings and outputs from the testing 11 innovation community energy business models and the transfer of 36MW of ground-mounted solar installations into community ownership.

[Keith comment: Any Links to Research SIF projects?]