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Energy Learning Network
Working together to grow community energy across the United Kingdom.
The Energy Learning Network is powering forward community energy projects across the UK.
The network is a collaboration between Community Energy Wales, the climate solutions charity Ashden, the Centre for Sustainable Energy, and leading community energy bodies from other UK nations: Community Energy England, Community Energy Scotland, and Northern Ireland’s Action Renewables.
We support people and organisations to take action on energy in their communities, while working with councils, stakeholders and other enablers to create the conditions for community energy to grow and thrive.
Read on for more information and resources:
- Events - The ELN hosts free, open access webinars and training events.
- Support - Access free mentoring and our technical helpline to develop projects.
- Resources - View the ELN resource directory and featured tools and guidance.
Featured Community Energy Wales ELN Webinars
Community Energy Wales: First steps to powering your local area (December 2024):
Local Energy Markets (March 2025):
Mine Water Heat: future projects for the community energy sector in Wales:
Energy Learning Network Events
The network delivers UK-wide and country-specific online events to share learning and best practice.
Upcoming events
Please check back soon for upcoming events.
By signing up to one of our Energy Learning Network events you are agreeing to our privacy policy. You can view the Energy Learning Network’s privacy policy here. We use your data to stay in touch with you about Energy Learning Network events and activities, and to evaluate the services we provide. We never give your data to third parties.
Past webinars
Explore our library of past events and recorded training sessions from across the Energy Learning Network. These sessions cover both community energy approaches and technologies, as well as the skills and capabilities needed to develop, deliver and grow successful projects.
Section one: Community Energy approaches & technologies
Webinars exploring different ways communities can take action on energy, including renewable generation, energy efficiency, heat and local energy solutions.
Intro to Community Action on Energy
On how voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations can start taking practical action on energy.
On the potential of community-owned onshore wind to deliver clean energy, local resilience and community benefit.
The next phase of community energy: Supermarkets and warehouses (with Ethex)
On the opportunity for community energy groups to unlock large-scale rooftop solar on supermarkets and warehouses.
On shared ownership models and how communities can invest in, partner on or benefit from renewable energy projects.
On the role heat networks can play in community energy, including practical examples and delivery challenges.
Community Domestic Retrofitting
On how community organisations can support home energy efficiency and domestic retrofit activity.
Making your community building more energy efficient
On practical ways to reduce energy use, improve comfort and cut running costs in community buildings.
On local energy market models where community energy generation supplies local demand.
Delivering energy advice in the community
On providing trusted local energy advice, including support around bills, efficiency and fuel poverty.
Creating Community Sustainability Hubs
On how local hubs can bring people together around practical climate, energy and sustainability action.
On how Batteries can help your community energy project
On Younity’s Community Power Club model
Section 2: Delivery skills & competencies
Webinars to help build the knowledge, skills and organisational practices needed to develop projects, secure funding, engage communities, govern organisations and deliver lasting impact.
Widening Participation toolkit
On engaging more people in your community.
On the wider social, economic and environmental value created by community energy.
On good governance, roles, decision-making and organisational structures for effective delivery.
Community Carbon Auditing Webinar
On community carbon auditing and identifying practical local decarbonisation opportunities.
Long term finance and new energy generation viability
On long-term finance and what makes new community energy generation projects financially viable.
Attract investors and funders to your £150k+ community energy project
On presenting larger community energy projects to attract investors and funders.
Raising finance with investors looking for values-driven community projects
On raising finance from investors interested in values-driven local projects.
Community benefit funds: opportunities and challenges
On using community benefit funds to support local priorities, and the choices involved in managing them.
Community Energy Connect Showcase
On Community Energy Connect and how it can help groups find support, resources and connections.
Muslim Communities and Community Energy
On connecting community energy with Muslim communities, faith spaces and wider community priorities.
Making a business case for community energy projects – solar and wind
On building a clear business case for solar and wind projects, including costs, risks and income assumptions.
On how to maximise income from your community energy project
How IFISAs can support community energy projects and offer tax benefits
Community Energy Support
The ELN also offers practical support to help community groups develop their energy projects. This includes free peer mentoring and a technical helpline, alongside wider work to build sector knowledge, partnerships and peer learning across the UK.
Peer Mentoring
ELN mentoring connects you with an experienced practitioner who provides up to three days of tailored one‑to‑one support. Mentors act as a sounding board and critical friend, helping you navigate challenges in areas such as governance, project development, fundraising, community engagement and technical or regulatory issues. Feedback from mentees is extremely positive: over 80% rated their mentoring “Excellent,” 91% felt more confident delivering projects, and 100% felt more confident taking their next step.
Please note the 2026 mentoring scheme for Community Energy Wales is full. Any applications will be placed on a waiting list for any potential future opportunities.
- To apply, visit the Ashden Energy Learning Network webpage, then click on 'Support', and 'Apply to receive mentoring today'
Technical advice
The ELN Technical Helpline, delivered UK-wide by Community Energy Scotland, offers quick, specialist support for specific technical questions.
The team can advise on renewable technologies, energy efficiency, monitoring and data, bills and tariffs, feasibility and carbon assessments, grid connections, transport infrastructure and more.
Support is designed for focused queries and is available at any project stage – from early ideas to established systems. Submit your query through the helpline form; the technical team may follow up for more information or to arrange a call.
- To get help, visit the Ashden Energy Learning Network webpage, then click on 'Support', then 'Access the Technical Helpline'.
Community Energy Resources
Helpful documents and presentations
A comprehensive list of community energy guidance
Split into topics including project management, project finance, grid connection, technology, stakeholder engagement, community buildings and shared ownership, with links to guidance.
Understanding the added value of a community energy approach and why support for community energy is vital for the success of the UK’s transition to net zero.
Community Energy in Action: Demonstrating the value of community-led solutions to net zero
The energy transition is not just about infrastructure and technology – it is about people, fairness, and building a future where everyone benefits. Community energy is one of the most effective ways to ensure that decarbonisation strengthens communities rather than leaving them behind.
A guide to evidencing the impact of community energy
Community energy organisations play a vital role in shaping a more sustainable, fair, and locally driven energy future. But how can you effectively demonstrate the real difference your work makes?
The Value of Community Energy: a digest of supporting evidence for the Energy Learning Network
This document, produced by Saskya Huggins on behalf of the Energy Learning Network, it supports our full report on the social, economic and environmental value of a community energy approach.
Discover how Three Rivers District Council (TRDC) and Grand Union Community Energy (GUCE) have developed a partnership approach to delivering local climate action that makes best use of each organisation’s strengths, demonstrating an effective model for similar collaborations across the UK.
Running a Community Energy Fund
This case study looks at the London Borough of Southwark's £400k community energy fund.
Community energy: Widening Participation
Using this toolkit will help community energy groups increase their impact through greater involvement of people from across their communities.
This grant comes from the Climate Action Fund, a £100 million commitment over 10 years from The National Lottery Community Fund to support communities across the UK to take action on climate change and involve more people in climate action. This forms part of one of the funder’s four key missions in its 2030 strategy, ‘It starts with community’ - supporting communities to be environmentally sustainable.
