Community Energy Strategy helps expand renewables
REA (Renewable Energy Association) Chief Executive Dr Nina Skorupska (pictured) says this move demonstrates Government’s commitment to helping ordinary people become active participants in the energy economy. She says:
“People are beginning to rethink energy, seeing that it doesn’t have to be expensive and polluting, and that they can even supply clean energy themselves. This is why we are seeing such excellent growth in the number of community energy companies.”
The Secretary of State has asked the REA and other industry associations to work together with the community energy sector to facilitate community ownerships of renewable energy projects. The Government’s expectation is that by 2015 “it will be the norm for communities to be offered the opportunity of some level of ownership of new, commercially developed onshore renewables projects”.
Speaking for the Solar Trade Association, Head of External Affairs Leonie Greene adds:
“The public are very concerned by the lack of competition in our energy markets and poll after poll shows they back renewable energy. So it's great to see the UK Government recognise the vast potential for everyday communities to directly own renewable energy and by doing so, to break open our consolidated electricity sector. No technology democratises ownership of the power sector better than solar.”
In tandem with the Government’s new Strategy, the REA has launched a new resource (www.r-e-a.net/marketplace) to support community energy groups. The Renewables Marketplace is an online platform which enables them to make business connections with the renewables industry, free of charge. It aimed at groups looking to supply their own energy, save money, invest for the future, recycle their wastes, help address climate change or simply make new business partnerships.
Former REA Chief Executive Gaynor Hartnell, who is now the Association’s Community Energy Adviser, says:
“The Marketplace is one concrete step which the REA is taking to help foster business partnerships between the renewables industry and the wider economy. It is well suited to community energy groups who need equipment, advice or a developer to partner with.”
For an academic perspective on how commercial developers and community groups are engaging with each other, check out Gaynor Hartnell’s blog, here.
