Local Energy Systems in Great Britain: Policy Instrument Database, 2010-2022

This project explored the development of policy and practice for local energy systems (LES) across England, Scotland and Wales. It aimed to provide evidence, and learning, about the role of more locally integrated energy systems, and the policy approaches being pursued in Great Britain.

The research analysed policy mixes for local energy systems and developed a database of relevant government policies from 2010 to 2021 (deposited here). These policies were identified based on systematic analysis of published government energy strategies, alongside strategies specifically concerned with ‘local’, ‘community’ or ‘area-based’ energy. This resulted in detailed analysis of over 50 policy documents and identification of 105 policy instruments across the three jurisdictions. Documentation was retrieved primarily from Scottish, Welsh and UK Government websites. Details about individual instruments were then collated using government sources (for example, evaluation reports), or websites of managing organisations. If financial information about an instrument was obscure, Freedom of Information (FOI) requests were submitted to establish additional detail, but financial information for some instruments remained unclear. The authors each cross-checked the instrument database drawing on their expertise in Scottish, Welsh and UK Government energy policy.

The instrument database was also verified through review by two external policy experts.