Community Energy Fund: powering up clean energy
When you invest in the Community Energy Fund, you’re helping to create a cleaner, fairer energy future. Your investment supports community-owned renewable energy projects that cut carbon emissions, lower energy bills for schools and organisations, and reinvest profits into local climate action.
In the latest round of the Community Energy Fund, we raised £636,473 towards a cleaner, greener future for Oxfordshire.
Since launching in 2018, the Community Energy Fund has been at the heart of our mission to create a cleaner, fairer energy system for Oxfordshire. Thanks to the support of nearly 2,000 investors, we’ve raised over £6 million to fund renewable energy projects that cut carbon, lower energy bills, and support communities.
But behind the numbers, there’s a bigger story – one of schools, businesses, and communities working together to take charge of their energy future.
100% of our project surplus supports further action on climate change through our ground-breaking projects.
I chose to invest in the Low Carbon Hub because I wanted my money to be part of something really constructive, important, local and exciting! It’s lovely to be part of something like this.
Liz, Investor Member
See what happens when you invest in the Community Energy Fund.
Unlocking additional funding
Your investment has a multiplier effect. The projects it supports enable us to secure further funding through loans and grants, allowing us to scale up our activities. More funding means more renewable energy, more carbon savings, and more support for communities to take climate action.
The flexibility to seize new opportunities
Unlike funding tied to a fixed project portfolio, the Community Energy Fund gives us the agility to act on emerging opportunities. As projects generate income and return capital, we can reinvest in new initiatives, maximising impact rather than automatically returning funds to investors.
Schools leading the way with solar
One of the fund’s early successes was helping schools across Oxfordshire benefit from clean, affordable energy. The 2016 Solar Portfolio – 13 school-hosted solar PV arrays – is now entirely funded by community investment, replacing short-term debt. These panels generated over 1.5 GWh of electricity in 2023/24, helping schools reduce their reliance on grid electricity while cutting costs and carbon emissions.
Growing Oxfordshire’s rooftop solar network
Since 2017, the Community Energy Fund has supported the installation of nine more rooftop solar PV arrays on local schools and businesses, contributing over half a million pounds to their capital costs. These sites now have a total installed capacity of 1,052 kW, generating an estimated 924,545 kWh annually – enough to power hundreds of homes each year.
One of these projects is Norbar Torque Tools, a Banbury-based manufacturer committed to sustainability. Their 250 kW rooftop solar array, installed in partnership with Low Carbon Hub, is helping to power their operations with clean, renewable energy while reducing reliance on the grid. It’s a great example of how businesses can take practical steps towards a low-carbon future.
“The first two phases of the roof at Norbar were so successful and contributed so well to our energy costs that, really, it was a no-brainer. It was just a question of timing, and we’re delighted that we’ve now completed the PV roof install. Fantastic. I can’t understand why anyone wouldn’t do this,” said Neill Brodey, Chairman, Norbar Torque Tools Ltd.
Watch the video below to hear Norbar’s story and see the impact of community energy in action.
Supporting Sandford Hydro – keeping community energy resilient
Beyond solar, the fund has also played a role in keeping our hydro power project at Sandford strong. A £200,000 loan helped refinance the scheme, reducing reliance on bank loans that were becoming more expensive due to rising interest rates. This keeps more money within the community energy sector and helps ensure the long-term sustainability of the project.
Powering up the UK’s largest community-owned solar park
The biggest investment so far has been in Ray Valley Solar, the UK’s largest community-owned solar park. With a 19.2 MW capacity, it generates 19.5 GWh of electricity per year, helping to significantly increase local renewable energy generation. The Community Energy Fund has contributed £3.9 million to this ambitious project – making it possible for more clean energy to be generated right here in Oxfordshire.
Strong financial returns for investors
We are committed to delivering fair financial returns to our investors while maximising impact. In 2023/24, we declared:
- 4% return per £ invested (before fourth anniversary)
- 5% return per £ invested (post-fourth anniversary)
- A total of £936,488 paid out in interest since the fund began
- £73,034 in capital returned to investors
A fund with real impact
Every pound invested in the Community Energy Fund goes further than just generating clean electricity. It supports local schools, strengthens community-owned renewable projects, and helps us create a more resilient, locally powered energy system.
If you’re already part of this journey – thank you. If you’re not yet involved, there’s still time to join us and help shape a greener future for Oxfordshire.