Miliband pledges up to £1bn for community green energy schemes

UK projects will allow local areas to control and profit from renewable power generation, says energy secretary

The UK government is pledging to spend up to 1bn on community-owned green energy schemes in an effort to combat growing scepticism and resistance to renewables and grid upgrade projects.

Ed Miliband, the UK energy secretary, said the new funding was intended to help democratise the energy system, increase the wealth and financial independence of local communities, and potentially cut some local energy bills.