Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Community-owned Renewable Energy 2026-07-07

Tuesday 7 July 2026 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The UK Government is committed to supporting over 1000 local and community energy projects by 2030 with a 1 billion investment.
  • The Minister expressed willingness to meet to discuss investment and regulation reform for local power sales and profit retention by communities.
  • The energy independence Bill aims to make it easier for communities to sell power locally and retain profits through GB Energy.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Joe Morris Lab
Climate Energy
Context

Community-owned renewable energy projects are gaining momentum and have the potential to enhance national energy security.

Question

What assessment has been made of the potential impact of community-owned renewable energy on energy security?

Answer from Michael Shanks

We are committed to seeing much more community energy across Britain through the local power plan, which will support over 1,000 local and community energy projects by 2030 with £1 billion of investment. Ownership matters to this Government.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The MP did not provide a direct assessment of the impact on energy security, but focused on support for community energy in general.

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Q2 Joe Morris Lab
Energy Business & Trade
Context

The Northumberland solar-powered community buildings project is an example of innovative use of renewable energy in remote communities.

Question

Will the Minister meet me to discuss the need for a smart export guarantee and greater support for community energy power-purchasing agreements?

Answer from Michael Shanks

The Minister would be happy to meet my hon. Friend to discuss exciting community energy projects in their area, focusing on investment and regulation reform to enable local power sales and profit retention by communities.

Partly answered

Not addressed: While the MP committed to a meeting, he did not provide specific details about how or when reforms will be implemented for power-purchasing agreements.

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Q3 Wera Hobhouse Lib Dem Bath
Energy
Context

The Energy Security and Net Zero Committee report highlights concerns about community energy projects being left behind without clear government guidance on reforms.

Question

Will the energy independence Bill establish a workable model for delivering community energy as soon as possible?

Answer from Michael Shanks

We are committed to making reforms and providing guidance, including legislation in the energy independence Bill. We aim to make it easier for communities to sell power locally and retain profits, with £1 billion investment through GB Energy.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The MP did not provide a direct answer on establishing a workable model within the Bill but discussed general commitment to reforms.

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