New community-owned solar programme helps Milton Keynes organisations to lower bills and support vulnerable local households

Community-owned energy offers lower electricity costs, no upfront investment or maintenance costs, and long-term price certainty while keeping the benefits local.
Organisations across Milton Keynes can install community-owned solar with no upfront cost through Milton Keynes Community Energy (MKCE), slashing electricity bills and providing greater long-term price certainty. With each installation, funds are invested to help vulnerable local residents cut their energy bills and reduce fuel poverty. 

MKCE has secured support from Milton Keynes City Council's Green Business Fund to launch Community Solar for MK Organisations, a new initiative designed to help organisations reduce energy costs, cut carbon emissions and support the city’s transition to a cleaner, more resilient energy future.

The launch coincides with Community Energy Fortnight (1–14 July), the national campaign, themed "Up The Energy" this year, that shows how community-owned energy is already helping to tackle high bills, strengthen energy security and speed the path to net zero. Community Solar for MK Organisations is a working example of exactly that: locally owned generation that keeps both the power and the financial benefit in Milton Keynes.

Unlike traditional solar installations that need up-front capital funding, the MKCE model removes the financial and operational barriers that prevent many organisations from investing in renewable energy.

MKCE funds, installs, owns and maintains the solar panels. The host organisation simply purchases the electricity generated on its own roof at a lower, fixed price than grid electricity - giving them greater certainty over future energy costs without the need for capital investment or long-term maintenance responsibilities, while also demonstrating visible leadership on sustainability and social impact through active support for MK communities.

For organisations facing continued uncertainty in the energy market, it offers a practical way to reduce costs and protect themselves from volatile electricity prices, while removing much of the financial and operational risk associated with owning energy infrastructure.

MKCE is a community-owned, not-for-profit Community Benefit Society that reinvests any surplus into MK rather than distributing it outside the area. Local people can become members and help shape the organisation, while the income generated supports projects that reduce energy bills, tackle fuel poverty and accelerate Milton Keynes' low-carbon transition. This includes initiatives such as Home Energy MK (https://homenergymk.org), which helps households stay warmer and spend less on energy.

Simon Kelley, Director at Milton Keynes Community Energy, said: "Every organisation wants lower energy bills, but not every organisation wants the cost, complexity and long-term responsibility of owning solar panels. That's exactly where community energy comes in."

"We remove the upfront investment, the maintenance burden and much of the risk, while giving organisations access to lower-cost, locally generated electricity. At the same time, every project helps keep money circulating within Milton Keynes, supporting local people and strengthening our communities. It's a model that delivers economic, environmental and social value all at once."

MKCE has been developing community-owned renewable energy across Milton Keynes since 2015, delivering successful solar projects on schools, libraries, council buildings and community organisations across the city. To date, the organisation has generated more than 3 million kWh of clean electricity and prevented over 975 tonnes of carbon emissions.

Jane Grindey, Director at Milton Keynes Community Energy, said: "Every suitable roof in Milton Keynes has the potential to do far more than generate electricity. Community energy can help schools direct more of their budgets into pupils, enable charities to invest more in the people and services they support, and give businesses greater confidence over their future energy costs. Most importantly, every project helps fund initiatives like Home Energy MK, creating warmer homes, lower bills and stronger communities across our city. That's what makes community energy different, and why we're inviting more organisations to become part of it."

MKCE would like to hear from businesses, charities, community organisations, faith buildings, sports clubs and public sector organisations to register their interest.

To find out whether your organisation could benefit, or to arrange an initial conversation with the MKCE team, visit www.mkcommunityenergy.co.uk or email [email protected].