Can community energy aid recharge development? Committee launches inquiry
9 April 2025
Inquiry: Aid for community-led energy
Today the International Development Committee launches a new inquiry into aid for community-led energy.
Developing clean and resilient energy is often a priority within countries’ efforts to meet ambitious climate goals. However, 750 million people around the world still lack access to any electricity and more than 2 million lack access to clean cooking fuels.
As global progress has stalled in meeting clean energy goals, decentralised energy systems – where energy is generated and governed closer to those who use it – have grown in prominence. In particular, community-led energy systems have emerged as a potential solution.
Community energy projects can give people power and autonomy over their energy future. But these projects often face hurdles around funding, technical capacity and regulation.
The Committee’s inquiry will explore the role of locally-led development in improving energy systems. It will assess how the UK Government is helping to address global energy poverty through aid spending, including how much this money is supporting local energy projects, how transformative this funding is, and where gaps exist.
The deadline to submit written evidence is 16 May 2025.
Full terms of reference are available on the Committee’s website.
Chair comment
Sarah Champion, Chair of the International Development Committee, said:
“From cooperative solar farms to independent microgrids, community energy has the potential to supercharge development efforts.
Today, millions of people live without access to electricity. Supporting communities to develop sustainable energy sources – and plugging the needs and experiences of energy users directly into the system – could be a priority for UK development, drawing upon our skills and research in the field.
Our inquiry will explore what benefits community-led energy can provide to people who use it, and how effectively the UK is currently supporting decentralised energy initiatives around the world.”
Further information
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