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 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.”
