Funding for community energy groups
By working together with communities, we help build projects that put people at the heart of the UK’s energy transition.
We believe in community ownership
It’s why we first created our award-winning community energy funding bridge in 2017, which the local energy group used to purchase the Mean Moor wind farm in Cumbria. Repaid in 2019, Mean Moor became the first commercial scale wind farm in the country to transfer to 100% community ownership.
We know that many community energy groups are interested in owning renewable energy projects. Yet due to a lack of capital, resources, or demanding timescales, they are not always able to purchase or build projects on their own. Thrive has already invested over £21 million into community energy projects and we are always looking to empower more people to take control of energy at the source, ensuring the benefits are felt locally – from new revenue streams to green jobs.
Community Energy Catalyst (CEC)
Recently, we launched a £40 million funding partnership with Better Society Capital – the UK’s leading social impact investor. The joint venture, Community Energy Catalyst, offers flexible funding for community groups to build their own clean energy projects, or take a stake in part of a larger project in their area. Fair Play Clean Energy, Thrive’s existing joint venture with TopCashback Sustainability Ltd, will provide £20 million of the investment, with Better Society Capital providing matched funding.
Our multi award-winning community funding bridge can help you to move your project forward.
Our multi award-winning community funding bridge can help you to move your project forward.
We provide the expertise, speed and flexibility you need with investments of £1 – 30 million.
100% community ownership
If you’re looking to acquire or build a clean energy project locally, we can help bridge the funding gap with senior, mezzanine, short or long term loans.
Shared ownership
We can provide the capital and expertise you need to take a stake in a local clean energy project alongside a developer.
Co-investment with Thrive
For community groups with the ambition to develop larger projects, Thrive can coinvest alongside you. We also offer community groups the opportunity to co-invest into new Thrive projects where this is appropriate.
Benefits
By choosing Thrive, you’ll have access to the capital you need, as well as expert insight gained over 30 years in the industry.
1
Control over your energy
Our funding gives you the opportunity to own your renewable energy at the source, ensuring the economic and social benefits of clean energy stay local too.
2
Time to raise the money
Developing a renewable energy project takes a lot of time and effort. We can provide some much-needed breathing space, helping you to get your project into construction and letting you repay in a way that works best for you.
3
Flexibility
We offer flexible funding for a range of clean technologies, from battery storage to hydro, solar and wind. We will structure our finance to best respond to your needs, as well as the specifics of the project.
4
Skills and expertise
With three decades of experience, we have access to a wide network of contacts, partners, suppliers, and industry bodies that we can call on, helping you to create and structure a resilient project.
Ambition Community Energy turbine
Meet some of the faces behind the record-breaking community wind project we helped fund.
Case study
Funding England's largest onshore wind turbine
Using our award-winning funding bridge, we helped move the Ambition Community Energy project into construction after years of planning issues.
Case study
Facilitating shared ownership with BEC
We invited Bristol Energy Cooperative to co-invest in our 20MW battery project, meaning local good causes benefit from a share of the revenues.
Get in touch with a member of our investment team
Latest news
29 Aug 2025
Community Energy Catalyst makes first investment
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15 Aug 2025
It’s back! New round of Thrive’s Community Benefit Programme is now open
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