The Centre for Sustainable Energy (CSE) is an independent national charity with more than 45 years of experience delivering practical, evidence-based support across the energy system. We combine research, policy insight and on-the-ground delivery to ensure the transition to net zero is both effective and fair.

Community energy is at the heart of what we do. Last year alone, we supported 871 community organisations to take action on climate change or fuel poverty. We distributed £2.3m in grants to community energy projects and trained or upskilled 4,594 community stakeholders. CSE is a trusted partner to community groups, local authorities, government and funders across the UK.

Designing and managing funding programmes

We design and manage funding and investment programmes that enable communities to develop local energy projects – helping organisations access funding, build strong project pipelines and develop sustainable business models.

We designed and continue to manage the Bristol City Leap Community Energy Fund, a £1.5m programme supporting community-led renewable energy, energy efficiency and low carbon initiatives across Bristol. It has already awarded more than £600,000 to over 20 community organisations. Previously we designed and delivered the Urban Community Energy Fund for national government, which supported the development of more than 7MW of community energy capacity, and the Next Generation Community Energy Fund for Power to Change, providing £1m in grants alongside specialist expertise to help community organisations develop and pilot innovative business models.

Supporting community organisations to develop projects

We provide direct support to community organisations to help them start, develop and deliver renewable energy projects – covering business model development, governance, community engagement, project identification and planning.

We lead Community Energy GO, a national programme delivered in partnership with Community Energy England and Ashden, providing free expert support to more than 70 emerging community groups in areas where community energy activity has historically been low. Through our Community Energy Together programme, we helped seven solar farms with a combined capacity of 36MW move into community ownership, increasing the share of community-owned solar in England and Wales by around 20%.

We also work closely with local authorities to build strong local community energy ecosystems. Through the East Suffolk Community Energy Programme delivered with Community Energy England and Ashden, we are helping local communities identify viable renewable energy opportunities, build local skills and develop projects with multiple groups expected to reach feasibility stage by 2027.

Building sector capability

We strengthen the capability and confidence of the community energy sector through training, guidance and practical tools. We co-lead the UK-wide Energy Learning Network, which brings together Community Energy England, Community Energy Scotland, Community Energy Wales, Ashden and Action for Renewables in Northern Ireland to share learning and support collaboration across the sector.

Our tools and resources are freely available and widely used. They include the Impact Community Carbon Calculator, a free open-source tool that helps communities understand their emissions and identify opportunities for climate action, and our Governance Guide for Community Energy, used by groups at every stage of development.

Community engagement and inclusion

We design and deliver inclusive engagement processes that enable communities to take part in energy decision making. Our Future Energy Landscapes approach helps communities explore renewable energy options using spatial analysis, facilitated discussion and structured decision making – giving people a genuine say in local energy futures and helping identify locally supported solutions.

We also support community organisations to strengthen equity, diversity and inclusion in their work. Through our Widening Participation Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Toolkit and tailored advice, we help groups improve their governance, engagement and investment activities. Our work developing Community Climate Investment Plans in three underserved communities in Bristol is helping ensure local voices and aspirations are better reflected in local energy planning.

Research and insight

Our programme delivery is grounded in strong research and analytical expertise. We are recognised as an Independent Research Organisation by UK Research and Innovation, enabling us to undertake funded research alongside our programme delivery and policy work.

Our research focuses on the conditions – policy, financial and social – that enable community energy to grow and deliver benefits for local communities. Recent work includes:

• Community engagement and benefits for onshore wind in England – national guidance authored for DESNZ.
• North East Community Energy Study – exploring barriers and opportunities for community energy development in the region.
• Bringing local energy benefits to deprived communities – funded by the Barrow Cadbury Foundation.
• Lawrence Weston’s journey to social fairness and net zero – a case study of an underserved community developing income-generating renewable projects.