Introduction
Great British Energy is the United Kingdom’s publicly owned energy company, established to accelerate clean-energy deployment, strengthen domestic energy security and ensure that workers and communities benefit from the transition to renewable energy.
History and Background
Great British Energy Limited was incorporated with Companies House on 10 October 2024 as part of the UK Government’s strategy to expand publicly backed investment in clean energy.
The Great British Energy Act 2025 received Royal Assent on 15 May 2025, formally establishing the organisation as a publicly owned and operationally independent energy company.
Great British Energy is headquartered in Aberdeen, Scotland, a city with extensive energy-sector expertise and an important role in the UK’s transition from oil and gas towards renewable energy.
The organisation was created to invest in, develop, build, own and operate clean-energy assets while supporting domestic supply chains, skilled employment and community ownership.
Mission and Purpose
Great British Energy’s mission is to accelerate clean energy and the industries supporting it while ensuring that UK workers and communities receive the benefits of secure, domestically produced energy.
Its vision is to become an enduring public institution that delivers a cleaner and more secure energy system for the British public.
The organisation intends to increase renewable-energy generation, reduce dependence on international energy markets and retain more of the economic value generated by clean-energy projects within the United Kingdom.
Its strategic priorities include local energy, onshore energy, offshore energy and UK clean-energy manufacturing and supply chains.
Great British Energy aims to establish a portfolio delivering at least 15 gigawatts of clean-energy generation and storage capacity.
It also intends to mobilise £15 billion in private finance over time from funds committed by Great British Energy through 2030.
Governance and Structure
Great British Energy is wholly owned by the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero but operates independently in its commercial and operational decisions.
The company operates under the Companies Act 2006 and the Great British Energy Act 2025.
An independent Board of Directors oversees strategy, organisational performance, risk, investment decisions and accountability. The board includes professionals with experience in renewable energy, industrial development, finance, workplace rights, community energy and supply chains.
The company is led by a Chief Executive Officer and an executive team responsible for investment, business development, local energy, partnerships, finance, legal affairs and supply-chain development.
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has published a framework document setting out the governance, accountability and working relationship between the government and Great British Energy.
Great British Energy publishes board minutes, annual reports, accounts and information about its activities to support transparency and public accountability.
Funding and Grants
Great British Energy has been established with public capital to invest in clean-energy projects and mobilise additional private-sector finance.
It is not solely a conventional grantmaking body. Its financial support can include grants, equity investment, co-investment, project development finance, shared ownership and other commercial arrangements.
Projects may be supported directly by Great British Energy or in partnership with government bodies, local authorities, community organisations, public institutions, private investors and energy developers.
The organisation expects its commercial investments to generate financial returns. It aims to establish an income-generating portfolio by 2030 and move towards company-wide profitability.
Funding opportunities are published according to specific programs. Eligibility, geographical coverage, award amounts and application requirements vary between funding calls.
Major Programs and Initiatives
GBE Local
GBE Local supports councils, communities and public services seeking to develop or own clean-energy projects.
The program aims to support more than 1,000 local and community energy projects by 2030, backed by up to £1 billion in investment.
Support can include grants, technical advice, partnerships, shared ownership and assistance with project development.
GBE Local addresses barriers such as limited access to early-stage finance, high development costs and shortages of specialist expertise.
GBE Community Fund
The GBE Community Fund provides grants to help community organisations develop and build community-owned clean-energy projects.
Funding is available through regional delivery arrangements in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. In Scotland, Great British Energy supports community energy through investment in Community and Renewable Energy Scheme programs.
Projects may include community-owned solar power, wind energy, energy storage and other locally controlled renewable-energy infrastructure.
Local Power Plan
The Local Power Plan establishes a framework for helping communities and public services own and benefit from clean-energy projects.
It is designed to create local savings, community-benefit funds, shared ownership and wider social value by retaining energy revenues within communities.
The plan prioritises models that can be repeated across the country and seeks to make participation possible for communities with limited financial resources or technical capacity.
Local Authority and Community Partnerships
Great British Energy provides grant funding to eligible English local authorities working with community-energy partners.
These partnerships are intended to bring forward clean-energy projects that produce lasting local benefits.
The organisation also works with Local Net Zero Hubs, Advice NI, the Welsh Government Energy Service and other delivery partners.
Solar for Schools and Public Services
Great British Energy supports the installation of solar panels on schools and public-sector buildings.
These projects are designed to reduce electricity costs, increase renewable-energy generation and allow schools and public services to direct more resources towards frontline activities.
By March 2026, 100 schools were benefiting from solar panels supported through Great British Energy.
The organisation has also backed clean-energy upgrades at National Health Service sites and other public facilities.
Onshore Energy
Great British Energy invests in onshore renewable-energy technologies, including solar photovoltaic systems, onshore wind and short- and long-duration energy storage.
The company intends to develop and own utility-scale projects while unlocking appropriate public land for renewable-energy generation.
Revenue generated from publicly owned assets can then be recycled into further clean-energy investment.
Offshore Energy
The organisation supports offshore wind development, including emerging deep-water and floating offshore wind technologies.
Its role can include early-stage investment, co-investment and partnerships that reduce project risks and attract additional private finance.
Energy, Engineered in the UK
Energy, Engineered in the UK is a £1 billion program focused on strengthening domestic clean-energy manufacturing, innovation and supply chains.
The program combines grants and investments to address market barriers and develop long-term UK capabilities in clean-energy technologies.
It also aims to support a fair transition for workers and regions historically dependent on oil and gas.
Impact and Examples of Work Funded
Great British Energy aims to support at least 10,000 jobs through its investments, including employment connected with manufacturing, engineering, project development and renewable-energy infrastructure.
Its local-energy activities are expected to support more than 1,000 community and public-sector projects by 2030.
Solar installations at schools are helping reduce energy bills and release funding for educational resources and services.
Clean-energy improvements at hospitals and other public facilities are intended to lower operating expenses while reducing carbon emissions.
Great British Energy has invested in British clean-technology businesses, including a major solar-thermal investment in Naked Energy.
The company has also supported floating offshore wind development, hydrogen investment and clean-energy supply-chain projects.
Through its community funding and shared-ownership approach, Great British Energy seeks to ensure that the value created by renewable-energy assets remains within local areas through lower bills, community revenue and locally owned infrastructure.
Its investments in Aberdeen and other energy-producing regions are intended to support reskilling and create employment pathways for workers transitioning from conventional energy industries.
Conclusion
Great British Energy combines public ownership, commercial investment, grant funding and strategic partnerships to accelerate the United Kingdom’s clean-energy transition.
Its work covers community energy, public-sector solar installations, onshore renewables, offshore wind, energy storage, hydrogen and domestic manufacturing. By mobilising private capital while retaining a public stake in energy assets, the company aims to strengthen energy security, create skilled jobs and deliver economic benefits directly to communities.
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