LONDON, Dec. 10 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news:
* Additional £12 million funding for devolved governments from Great British Energy
* Localenergy projectsallow communities toreap the benefits of clean power, includinglowerbills
* Great British Energy to back over 1,000 local and community energy projects over next 5 years
Communities in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will see a funding boost forlocal renewable projectsfrom publicly ownedcompanyGreat British Energy.
After announcing it will back over 1,000 local and community energy projectsover the next five years,the company has increasedrenewablefunding for the UK's devolved nationsby £12 million to over £21 million.
It followsaninitial pledge of £9.3 million for the devolvedgovernmentsto usefor renewable energy schemesand solar panels onpublic sector buildings.
The Scottish Government is receiving a further £5.5 million from Great British Energy and is today announcing 23 new projects, partially backed by both the new funding and Scottish Government investment. Together they will haveofferedfundingto71community projects across Scotland this year - from a community solar farm on the Isle of Arran to wind farms in Aberdeenshire.
Meanwhile Great British Energy is backing theWelsh Governmentwithanadditional£6.6 million,withmorethan£2.8million announced in March,tofund solar panels forschools, leisurecentresand museumsacrossWales, aswellassupportingtheWelshGovernment's newYmestynschemethatwill helppublic sectorand communitiestocompleteprojects such assolar canopies and battery energy storage.
And in Northern Ireland Great British Energy will help the Further Education Colleges tobenefitfrom clean energy, through installation of Solar PV atanumber ofsites.
UK Government Minister for Energy Michael Shanks said:
Great British Energy is empowering communities in everynation of the UK to take a stake in their own energy.
This is our clean energy superpower mission in action - putting communities in the driving seat of energy generation and making sure working people andlocalbusinesses profit.
Great British Energy CEO,Dan McGrail, said:
Communities are at the heart of our clean energy future. By increasing our support for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, Great British Energy is ensuring that communities benefit directly from the transition to renewables - through lower bills and greater energy security.
This funding will help unlock hundreds of projects that will not only provide clean energy to communities but also help accelerate our mission to make the UK a clean energy superpower.
Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change, HuwIrranca-Davies, said:
We are driving towards a net zero public sector by 2030, and this funding will help us get even closer.
Thanks to this funding, organisations across Wales will see their energy bills falling in a matter of months.
Climate Action and Energy Secretary Gillian Martin said:
Community-led energy projects are at the heart of Scotland's journey to net zero. By empowering local groups to generate their own clean energy with local solutions, we are not only cutting emissions but also reducing costs and creating resilient communities. These projects show what can be achieved when people come together with a shared vision for a sustainable future.
This funding isgivingcommunitiesthe tools and confidence to take control of their own energy needs, keep money circulating locally, and build a fairer, greener economy.
Scotland's transition to net zero must be inclusive and fair, and community energy is a vital part of ensuring that everyone benefits from the opportunities of a clean energy future.
Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens said:
Wales is at the centre of the UK's clean energyindustrywhich is already delivering the well-paid,highly-skilledjobs of the future.
This funding from GB Energy, which includes solar panels in public buildings across Wales, will bring lower bills as well as help our drive towards energy security.
The fundingmarks progress in Great British Energy and government's Local Power Planthatwill ensure the benefits of the government's clean power mission are felt at a local levelacross theUK, with energy security, goodjobsand economic growth - while also helping to rebuild the nation's public services.
It followsa£255 millioninvestmentto roll out solar panels for 260 NHS sitesandover 250 schoolsas well asmilitarysitesinEngland,helpingtocutbills forfrontline services, as well as£10 million in grant funding for England's Mayoral Strategic Authorities to deliver local clean energy projects,announced earlier this year.
Last weekGreat British Energyset out plansforhow thepublicly-ownedcompany,head-quartered in Aberdeen,will deliver on the government's clean energy superpower missioninevery corner of the UK. This includesincluding delivering15GW of clean energygeneration and storageas well asmobilising£15billionof privatefinancetotake back control of Britain's energy supplyandprotectbillpayers from global fossil fuel price spikes.
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
