LONDON, 11 February 2026 — UK100, the cross-party network of local authorities working together to tackle climate change, has today responded to the government’s Local Power Plan, describing it as a “bold, significant step forward” for community energy while calling for stronger commitments to include all parts of the country and all tiers of local government in delivery.

The Plan, backed by £1 billion of investment and targeting over 1,000 community energy projects by 2030, represents the biggest ever funding for municipal and community energy, and includes several long-standing UK100 asks: dedicated capacity building support for local authorities, grid connections and regulatory reform, partnership grants enabling councils to collaborate with community energy organisations, and a commitment to shared ownership models that keep benefits local.

Christopher Hammond, Chief Executive of UK100, said:

“Local energy is the best energy, especially when as much of the benefit can be retained by those communities that host the infrastructure. We welcome this bold, significant step forward. For years, UK100 members have made the case that community energy works best when local authorities are empowered to lead, and much of the Local Power Plan reflects the importance of supporting that leadership. The capacity building commitment is a particular win, and the inclusion of all three authority types, mayoral, combined and local, is crucial to deliver.

“But not everywhere has a mayor. So if this Plan is to succeed, Ministers and GB Energy must ensure that district, county and unitary councils are genuinely at the table, not sidelined while only strategic authorities take the lead. Our members, many of them district and county councils, represent over 37 million people across the UK, and they are ready to deliver, not be unnecessarily held back. It’s disappointing that the battle for Local Area Energy Planning has been overlooked, nevertheless, our members will welcome the long-term funding certainty and the trust to get on with the job."

UK100 members including  Bristol, Cambridgeshire, Southwark, Essex and Leicestershire, are already developing community energy projects and local area energy plans that could form a ready-made pipeline for the Plan’s Expression of Interest process. Four UK100 members, Hackney, Three Rivers, Bath and North East Somerset, and Leicestershire, were also shortlisted for last year’s Community Energy Awards.

UK100’s award-winning work on local energy, recognised as Strategic Partner of the Year at the Utility Week Awards 2025 alongside UK Power Networks DSO, provides the evidence base for the Plan’s capacity building ambitions. Research shows that locally planned approaches could reduce costs while maximising bill savings compared to national top-down approaches.

UK100 is calling on the government and GB Energy to:

• Work with us and the sector to ensure the Local Power Plan explicitly includes and resource all tiers of local government, not just mayors and strategic authorities.
• Ensure funding is allocated through non-competitive, accessible routes so that all local authorities can plan and deliver with confidence — not just those with the capacity to win in short term, competitive bids.
• Embed Local Area Energy Plans, supported by DNOs, within the Plan and Regional Energy Strategic Plans, backed by a national framework and non-competitive funding.
• Develop community benefit policies in partnership with local authorities — with communities, not to communities.
• Integrate the Local Power Plan with the Warm Homes Plan for a joined-up approach to energy and housing.
• Establish forums where local authorities and communities can shape GB Energy’s strategy from the outset, not simply respond to it.

UK100 is encouraging members to come forward with community energy project ideas for the Plan’s Expression of Interest process, and is offering support through its research, membership capacity building and advocacy programmes.

Notes to editors

1. The government’s Local Power Plan was published on 9 February 2026, backed by £1 billion of investment and targeting over 1,000 community energy projects by 2030. Full details: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/local-power-plan

2. UK100’s Unlocking Flexibility guide is a practical resource for local authorities on participating in energy flexibility markets, produced in partnership with UK Power Networks DSO and the Association for Decentralised Energy Research. It covers flexibility services, revenue opportunities, and step-by-step guidance for councils. Available at: https://www.uk100.org/knowledge-hub/unlocking-flexibility-a-guide-for-local-authorities

3. UK100 is the only network of ambitious councils led by all political parties working together to tackle climate change. Our membership of over 120+ local authorities represents more than 37 million people across the UK.

4. UK100 and UK Power Networks DSO were named Strategic Partner of the Year at the Utility Week Awards 2025 for their work on Local Area Energy Planning.

5. The GB Energy Act received Royal Assent on 15 May 2025, with community energy provisions secured through cross-party parliamentary amendment.

6. UK100 research highlights that locally planned approaches to energy transition could reduce costs by over two-thirds while almost doubling bill savings compared to national approaches. Source: UK100, Local Net Zero 2.0: The Moment to Deliver

Media contact

Liam Ward

Communications and Advocacy Manager, UK100

Email: liam.ward@uk100.org