Concerns over energy security, rising electricity bills, and climate change are pushing communities to look for alternatives to traditional energy providers.
Kent Community Energy (KCE) is giving residents the opportunity to invest in community-owned renewable energy assets designed to generate clean power for local buildings, while reducing costs and carbon emissions.
In February 2026, the government, in partnership with Great British Energy (GBE), launched the Local Power Plan, a £1bn funding initiative to give local communities the opportunity to own clean energy projects.
It’s the UK’s biggest revolution in energy in terms of shifting the power from centralised, investor-led ownership to local, democratic control.
Investing in solar – from £100
Michael Bax, Managing Director at KCE, said, “Kent is one of the sunniest counties in the UK, offering immense potential for solar power and with the help of local people we hope to raise £750,000 by 24 June to install 1MW of rooftop installations on community buildings like council leisure centres, colleges, schools, libraries and heritage sites, helping them to cut their energy bills and carbon emissions.
“You don’t need to be wealthy to invest. You can buy as little as £100 in Bonds with every pound helping to build a cleaner, greener future for generations to come. Bonds are a great way to lend your money to KCE and get paid for it. So, for every £100 you put in, KCE will pay you £6 every year, and after six years, you get your £100 back too. If you invest through the Finance ISA scheme, returns may be tax-free as well.”
Full details of the investment offer are available via KCE’s bond page.
Track record of local impact
KCE has already delivered several successful renewable projects across the county.
Its first fundraising effort in 2023 meant they could buy a solar farm at Iwade, which provides 5m kWh per year of clean energy – enough to power 1,700 households for an entire year.
Last year, it raised a further £576,000 from 221 investors, allowing the company to create its first portfolio of rooftop sites , including a solar system for the famous miniature steam Romney Hythe and Dymchurch Railway, with a 130kW system on its buildings.
Other rooftop projects include Hythe Town Council buildings, Reculver, and Beltinge Memorial Hall.
Cutting bills and carbon
KCE says its solar investments typically slash client electricity consumption by half and their energy costs by a quarter.
The 2025/2026 investment plan should save a whopping 277 MT of carbon annually, the equivalent of taking 240 cars off the road for a year.
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Reinvesting in the community
In addition to providing clean energy, KCE puts its profits back into the Kent community.
Michael explained, “So far, we’ve given away £40,000 to charities and community organisations working against the effects of climate change and energy poverty, protecting biodiversity and nature and promoting energy efficiency.
“A successful bond raise will mean we hope to increase this to £100,000 to local charities by 2027. So, the more solar we build, the more money we give away to worthy causes across the county.”
What is Kent Community Energy?
KCE came together in 2016 with the mission to fund projects that benefit communities, build prosperity, protect our countryside and planet, and power a greener, fairer future.
Every member has an equal say – each member has one vote. Investors are co-owners of KCE with a say in how it is run and what we do.
For more details, contact Michael Bax at projects@kentcommunityenergy.org
Strong, public support for renewables
An overwhelming majority of people in the UK support renewable energy, with recent polling in 2025 showing that around 80% to 89% of the public are in favour of its development, with solar power among the most popular options.
For more information about investing in KCE’s Bonds, go to https://www.ethex.org.uk/invest/kent-community-energy-2032-bonds
This article is based on a press release from Kent Community Energy, and edited by Kent and Surrey Bylines.
