Community Energy Fund

The fund supports public institutions and not-for-profit organisations based in Hackney, such as schools, faith groups and charities, to work closely with local community energy groups to improve the energy efficiency of publicly-used buildings.

Projects awarded in round 1 have all been successfully completed. Projects awarded in round 2 are due for completion by the end of 2024.

Understanding the Hackney Community Energy Fund

The Hackney Community Energy Fund (HCEF) supports community-led innovative energy projects that:

• reduce carbon emissions
• improve the energy efficiency of buildings
• improve climate change literacy across the borough
• grow the local community energy sector and green economy

The fund enables Hackney not-for-profit and charitable organisations to:

• reduce their energy costs
• create warmer and more efficient buildings for local residents
• tackle climate change
• engage with their communities on topics relating to their project

We hope this creates a ripple effect and brings a range of stakeholders into Hackney’s net-zero journey.

Energy use in Hackney’s buildings is responsible for 21% of the borough’s total emissions. This includes the electricity powering lights and appliances, and the heat for warming water and spaces. The HCEF helps local not-for-profit organisations to look at:

• how to reduce their emissions, including improving the thermal performance of buildings to reduce the amount of energy required to heat and cool them
• how to reduce energy demand, including by changing lighting systems for example
• opportunities to generate renewable energy

Projects must:

• benefit the community
• show a demonstrable carbon-saving opportunity (either through generating renewable energy or reducing consumption of energy) through retrofitting activities
• encourage energy-saving behaviours

We expect to award the majority of grants to capital projects.

Our Climate Action Plan commits to delivering annual rounds of Hackney’s Community Energy Fund to support and develop multiple community groups.

Round 1 Award

The first round of Hackney’s Community Energy Fund (HCEF) launched in November 2022 and closed in January 2023.

The Hackney Empire, Mildmay Club and Parkwood Primary School received funding for solar panels. The panels provide enough electricity for one-third of their energy use. This is equal to 35 homes, helping to reduce bills and tackle climate change.

A church, a gurdwara, a wellness charity and seven schools also received funding to develop carbon-saving projects including:

• solar panels
• battery storage
• insulation and heating controls

Community energy groups have been helping these organisations throughout their projects to engage with building users and promote carbon-saving behavior.

Round 2 Award

The second round of the Hackney Community Energy Fund opened in November 2023 and closed in January 2024.

Hackney Light and Power is working with Community Energy London to bring groups together and grow the sector in Hackney, and to identify further funding sources to help Hackney organisations in their net-zero journeys.

Community Energy London runs a mentoring programme for new groups and they have created a useful How-to Guide for Setting Up a Community Energy Group In London.