Community energy schemes
Community energy schemes are becoming increasingly popular across the UK. These are community-led renewable energy schemes, energy demand reduction or energy supply projects, either wholly owned and/or controlled by communities or run through a partnership with commercial or public sector partners.
The UK's current centralised energy supply requires major structural change to meet the challenge of climate change, ensure energy security from overseas threats, and prevent fuel poverty. Instead, these schemes deliver people-powered energy, allowing individuals to take greater control over their energy supply and enabling communities to come together to understand, generate, use and own their own local energy.
As local people understand their area the best, alongside any problems, they are best placed for coming together to solve issues and provide a resource for the community. Examples of this include:
- Installing solar photovoltaic (PV) panels
- Hydroelectric generation in streams and rivers
- Community-owned wind turbines
- Community-led projects to switch off-gas households to heat pumps or biomass boilers, often in combination with solar panels to reduce electricity costs
- Group energy saving measures
- Piloting smart technologies when working with the local Distribution Network Operator (DNO)
Locally, a group of residents in Calder Vale and Bonds, a rural community living off the gas grid, are working on a proposed heating scheme to use ground source heat pumps to help reduce energy bills and carbon emissions. Residents living in this area are encouraged to read more about the scheme and take the online survey to register their interest.
Have a look at the community energy project map to see if there is a project near you or just for some inspiration!
To learn more about community energy, and how you could get involved, visit Community Energy England, the Energy Saving Trust and Electricity North West websites for more information.