Great British Energy (GBE) is a publicly-owned clean energy company established by the UK government under the Great British Energy Act 2025. Headquartered in Aberdeen, Scotland, it was created to accelerate the UK's transition to clean energy, reduce dependence on volatile international gas markets, and ultimately bring down energy bills for British households.
But here's what most people want to know: what does Great British Energy mean for your energy bills right now? While GBE focuses on long-term clean energy investment, there are several government-backed grants available today that can save you thousands of pounds.
Great British Energy: The Basics
Great British Energy was a flagship policy of the Labour government, receiving Royal Assent in 2025. It works alongside the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero to invest in clean, homegrown energy across the UK.
What Great British Energy Does
- Invests in clean energy projects — wind farms, solar installations, tidal energy, nuclear
- Supports community energy — the Local Power Plan (announced February 2026) funds local renewable energy projects
- Partners with the National Wealth Fund — leveraging private investment alongside public funding
- Creates jobs — targeting thousands of clean energy jobs across the UK
- Reduces energy costs — by increasing domestic energy production and reducing reliance on imported gas
What Great British Energy Does NOT Do
- Does not supply energy directly to homes (it's not an energy supplier like British Gas or Octopus)
- Does not replace your existing energy provider
- Does not directly administer household energy grants (these come through other government schemes)
Energy Grants Available Now (2026)
While Great British Energy works on long-term energy transformation, there are immediate grants available to UK homeowners that can cut your energy bills by hundreds — even thousands — of pounds per year.
ECO4 Scheme
Free insulation, boiler replacement, heating upgrades and energy efficiency improvements for eligible households on qualifying benefits or with low EPC ratings (D-G).
Check your ECO4 eligibility →Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS)
Specifically designed to insulate homes quickly and affordably. Available to homeowners in council tax bands A-D in England and Wales, regardless of income. Also available to those on qualifying benefits.
Check your GBIS eligibility →Boiler Upgrade Scheme
Get up to £7,500 off an air source heat pump or ground source heat pump installation. Available to homeowners in England and Wales replacing fossil fuel heating systems.
Learn about the Boiler Upgrade Scheme →Solar Panel Grants & Incentives
While there's no direct solar grant for most homeowners, you can benefit from 0% VAT on solar panels (saving £1,000+), the Smart Export Guarantee (get paid for excess energy), and ECO4 solar panel grants for eligible households.
Explore solar panel savings →Great British Energy: Latest News (2026)
Local Power Plan — February 2026
Great British Energy announced its Local Power Plan to invest in community energy projects across the UK. The plan aims to build "community wealth and power" through local renewable energy generation, giving communities a direct stake in clean energy.
Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland Expansion — December 2025
GBE expanded its investment commitments across all four UK nations, with specific projects targeting Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland's unique energy needs.
Developer Partnership with National Wealth Fund — March 2025
Great British Energy took on a direct developer role, partnering with the National Wealth Fund to co-invest in clean energy infrastructure projects.
How Great British Energy Affects Your Bills
Great British Energy's impact on household energy bills will be gradual, not immediate. By investing in domestic clean energy, GBE aims to:
- Reduce UK dependence on international gas prices (which caused the 2022-23 energy crisis)
- Increase renewable energy capacity, driving down wholesale electricity costs
- Create a more stable, predictable energy market
For immediate bill reductions, the most effective action is to improve your home's energy efficiency through the grants listed above. Proper insulation alone can save £300-£800 per year on energy bills.
Tip: Most UK homeowners qualify for at least one energy grant. Enter your postcode above to instantly check which schemes you're eligible for.