About this Event
Join Us at the North Northamptonshire Community Energy Conference!
Explore the potential of community energy to save money for people, businesses and Councils in North Northamptonshire.
Ever thought that a big building near you should have solar panels? Maybe you think that every school, community centre, leisure centre and industrial estate should have solar energy generated from its own rooftop to save money and carbon emissions for the building users? Would you like to know how a community and Council can come together to make that happen?
If so, join us for the inaugural North Northamptonshire Community Energy Conference at The Corby Cube from 11am-3pm on 18 September 2026.
With GB Energy gearing up to launch the Local Partnerships Fund to provide financial support for Councils and community energy groups to put community-owned solar on Council assets, the first ever North Northamptonshire Community Energy Conference is perfectly timed.
Speaker line-up
The event has been designed to drive better local energy security and savings for people, public bodies and businesses in the area, helping communities come together to address Council financial constraints as energy bills rise, work towards community energy growth targets from Government and improvements to the energy system.
Speakers include Fraser Stewart (Head of Local Energy Strategy at GB Energy), Matt Vickers (CEO of Community Energy England) and Ollie Pendered (Executive Chair of Community Energy Pathways).
There will also be Workshops aimed at helping Officers, business owners and residents explore the opportunities for community energy and work out how best to collaborate to make it happen.
Please register by 31st August so we can confirm catering and venue arrangements. Places are limited to 60 and may close earlier if fully booked.
Agenda
🕑: 11:00 AM - 11:15 AM
Registration, Teas and Coffees
🕑: 11:15 AM - 11:20 AM
Welcome
Host: Councillor Ken Harrington
Info: (Portfolio Holder for Assets, Waste and Environmental Services, North Northamptonshire Council)
🕑: 11:20 AM - 11:40 AM
What is community energy and how could it serve your Council’s objectives?
Host: Ollie Pendered
Info: (Executive Chair, Community Energy Pathways)
🕑: 11:40 AM - 12:10 PM
Why Councils use community energy partners instead of doing it themselves
Host: Matt Vickers
Info: (CEO, Community Energy England)
🕑: 12:10 PM - 12:40 PM
Panel Discussion:What are the barriers & solutions for North Northamptonshire?
Info: All Speakers taking questions from the floor – chaired by Nick Bolton from Electric Places
🕑: 12:40 PM - 01:25 PM
Lunch and networking
🕑: 01:30 PM - 01:45 PM
How Councils can benefit from the Local Power Plan and GB Energy
Host: Fraser Stewart
Info: (Head of Local Energy Strategy, GB Energy
🕑: 01:45 PM - 02:20 PM
Breakout Sessions
🕑: 01:45 PM
Session 1: How we can build community energy in North Northamptonshire
Info: Led by Ollie Pendered (CEP) and Matt Vickers (CEE), with structured discussion plan provided by CEP.
Session 2: How businesses can benefit through community energy partnerships
Info: Led by Nick Bolton from Electric Places
🕑: 02:20 PM - 02:30 PM
Reconvene for Breakout Session summaries
🕑: 02:30 PM - 02:35 PM
Closing remarks
Host: Jonathan Waterworth
Info: (Director of Assets & Environment, North Northamptonshire Council)
Event venue & nearby stays
The Cube, George Street, Corby, United Kingdom
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.