Southampton Sustainability Directory

Developing a community energy solar or wind generation project might seem like a big challenge – but the Hampshire & Solent Community Energy Network could help your group link up with other organisations for peer-to-peer and technical support. 

The government’s Local Power Plan is a great opportunity for community energy - backed with £1 billion of funding and aiming to support over 1,000 new projects.   It includes a new Partnership Grant, which will fund partnerships between community energy organisations and local authorities.             

The Hampshire & Solent Community Energy Network was launched in spring 2026 to bring together community organisations and local authorities interested in working on community energy generation projects.  The Network is being established by WinACC in partnership with the Environment Centre and is funded by the South West Net Zero Hub.

Over 20 community organisations and 10 local authorities have joined the Network, and 55 people attended the first (online) Network Event in June.  The next event will be in-person, on 9 Sep (12-3pm) in Southampton and will include talks by local community energy organisations plus structured networking sessions.  It will be a great opportunity to hear how other organisations have set up projects and also to meet them and talk about the possibilities of collaboration. 

If you’d like to know more about the Network or book a place at the 9 Sep event, contact Stu at stuart.mills@winacc.org.uk