More routes than you think
Community energy projects often stall at the financing question — not because the money isn't there, but because groups don't know the routes available. The landscape is broader than grants alone.
The main routes
Grants, debt, co-investment, and shared-ownership models each suit different projects and different appetites for risk and control.
The right financing structure is the one that matches who benefits with who carries the risk.
1. Grants and contestable funding
Best for early feasibility and community-benefit projects. Non-dilutive, but competitive and slow.
2. Debt
Suits projects with predictable revenue — an energy system with a clear billing model can often support sensible borrowing.
3. Co-investment and shared ownership
Brings in a partner's capital in exchange for a share of returns. Powerful for scaling, but the ownership terms matter enormously.