The funding marks a new stage in efforts to expand community-owned energy projects, allowing local organisations to seek support for ideas that can generate renewable electricity within their areas. According to the Government\u2019s announcement, the People\u2019s Power projects are intended to give communities more control over local energy supplies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Younity, a joint venture between Octopus Energy and OurCoop, is supporting community groups that want to develop these projects by offering financial support, expertise and access to energy markets. The organisation said it is already helping almost 350 community energy projects across Britain, which is nearly four times the number it supported five years ago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The new funding is expected to support more than 1,000 projects<\/strong> as communities and local authorities explore ways to create local renewable energy schemes. Projects can include solar installations on schools and community buildings, along with local wind and hydro power developments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Younity provides several forms of support for groups working on community energy <\/a>plans. This includes the Community Energy Kickstart Loan<\/strong>, which offers up to \u00a31.5 million of fast, low-interest funding to help projects begin construction. The organisation also runs the Powering Communities Fund<\/strong>, which provides grants for local social and environmental projects. According to Younity, nearly \u00a395,000 has already been distributed to 27 groups through this fund.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Other support includes Power Purchase Agreements<\/strong>, which allow community generators to sell the electricity they produce and receive an income stream. Younity<\/a> also operates Community Energy Connect, a free platform designed to link community energy groups with volunteers who can provide different skills and expertise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rebecca Dibb-Simkin, Chief Customer Officer at Octopus Energy, said the funding represented an opportunity for communities to take greater control of their energy. \u201cYounity can help to kickstart projects with cash, connections and know-how to turn bright ideas into real clean energy projects<\/em>,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n