Our Partners
GB Community Energy Fund
Powering Together Lancashire is a community-based energy project helping homes, schools, and businesses work together to access lower-cost energy.
By using batteries to shift when you use electricity, you'll reduce your bills and support a cleaner, fairer energy system.
If you are eligible
Save money on your bills and support your community.
Virtual Power Plants manage battery and solar assets remotely via automated software. In doing so, they provide energy savings for the household and generate revenue by providing services to the grid.
A Social Virtual Power Plant (SVPP) takes this business model and reinvests the surplus revenue back into the community.
Phase 1 will test the SVPP software and financial modelling on existing home batteries (with or without solar) to demonstrate real savings for households.
If eligible, joining Phase 1 will enable households who already have a battery to access lower-cost energy rates and improve the utilisation of their existing home battery to save money on energy bills.
Households across the county can register their interest on the form below.
Following the success of Phase 1 to demonstrate energy bill savings, we anticipate the rollout of Phase 2 which will enable the installation of new batteries.
Phase 2 will be for homeowners and renters, plus schools, churches, community and business buildings can all apply.
We install a battery and, if needed, energy monitoring devices in your property (these remain owned by Powering Together Lancashire).
The battery will enable you to access lower-cost energy rates which, combined with energy monitoring devices, will help you to lower your bills.
Powering Together Lancashire uses a small part of installed batteries to buy and sell power from/to the grid, creating a surplus income. This is then used to buy more batteries for occupiers who otherwise couldn't afford them, making lower-cost energy available for more people.
Tell us a bit about you and your property using our quick online form. It only takes a few minutes. We'll review your details and see if your home, business, or organisation is suitable to take part.
We fund the first round of batteries by offering an investment in our project. By funding the batteries, investors will help more people access lower-cost energy and receive a modest return on their investment. We'll release more details nearer the time.
After our funding round, if you're eligible for a battery, one of our local partners will contact you to help you get set up. This will include a battery, and might additionally include installing or connecting smart devices, thermostats, or energy monitors, all at no cost to you.
Once you're up and running, you'll start seeing how your energy is used and be able to benefit from lower-cost energy, helping to reduce your bills. The programme runs for 10 years, but don't worry, if you move home or premises in this time, we have mechanisms to deal with this – see FAQs below.
Powering Together Lancashire uses the Social Virtual Power Plant model.
Each participating property has a battery installed, paid for and owned by Powering Together Lancashire. A small portion of that battery is automatically used to generate revenue from the grid.
This generates income for Powering Together Lancashire, which is then used to buy more batteries for occupiers who otherwise couldn't afford them.
The rest of the battery remains available for the occupier to store and use lower-cost electricity themselves, helping reduce their energy bills.
A Social Virtual Power Plant (SVPP) is a network of community owned batteries that help people use lower-cost electricity.
Yes, we're looking to work with a UK supplier with a specific tariff for this scheme.
You'll be able to use lower-cost energy, enabling you to feel more confident to heat your home and benefit from lower energy bills.
For Phase 1, if you do not already have a smart meter you will need to have one installed. For Phase 2, if eligible, an approved provider will install a battery and, if needed, a smart meter.
Yes. Homeowners, private renters and social housing tenants can register their interest for both Phases. If eligible, we'll work with your landlord or housing provider to get permission.
That's fine! You don't need any specific technology to take part. The SVPP works with homes and buildings of all types. If you do have low carbon technologies like solar, an EV charger or heat pump, that's fine too.
Yes. All your data is handled securely and in line with UK GDPR rules. We only collect what's needed.
Very little. Once you're set up, everything runs in the background. You'll be updated on how your home or business is helping, and you can track your energy through an easy-to-use dashboard.
Phase 1 will only run during summer 2026. For Phase 2, batteries will typically be installed for a minimum of 10 years. If you move in this time, don't worry. We have process in place to deal with this.
Just fill in the Register Your Interest form on this website. We'll check your eligibility and get in touch to talk you through the next steps.
We will check if you may be eligible for the SVPP using the information you have provided in our Register Your Interest form. We will then be in touch with more information.