Community Energy

All over the UK groups of local people are joining together to tackle climate change and save money by developing their own community energy projects.

Many communities have identified renewable resources which be tapped to generate energy and income for local projects. The picture above is of the Torrs Hydro project at New Mills in Derbysire, the development of which was supported by the Water Power Enterprises. A case study on the Torrs Hydro project can be found below.

Developing community energy projects will take a lot of time and committment, and is likely to need the input of people with project planning, financial, insurance, legal and technical skills.

In recognition of the complexity of developing successful schemes, a number of support organisations have emerged to assist communities through the project development process. Some are highlighted below.

These include Carbon Leapfrog which is business-led charity that galvanises and channels free professional advice from leading service providers across a range of disciplines into carbon reduction projects.

Energy4All are set up to support the development of community-owned wind farms. They were formed in the wake of the UK's first community wind power scheme the Baywind co-operative (a scheme developed by MIMP's own Keith Boxer in 1996/97).

Water Power Enterprises is set up to assist communities in developing low-head micro-hydro schemes. In addition to the Torrs Hydro scheme, they are assisting in the development of schemes in Stockport and Saddleworth, Oldahm.

In March 2011 Forum for the Future launched a comprehensive guide to the financing of community energy schemes. In addition to advice on project planning and development Funding Revolution also includes an excellent directory of contacts for further support. A copy of the Funding Revolution can be downloaded below.

The organisation Low-Carbon West Oxford has developed West Oxford Community Renewables which was established for the specific purpose of building and owning community-owned renewable energy schemes in West Oxford and to thus generate funds for Low Carbon West Oxford. A copy of their guide for community organisations can be downloaded below.

In 2009 Community Energy Scotland together with the Scottish Govenment produced a detailed guide for communities who are keen to join the rapidly expanding renewables sector north of the border. A copy can be downloaded below.

Carbon Co-op is a Manchester based co-operative designed to make it simple, cheap and easy for households, streets and neighbourhoods to come together to buy low-carbon and energy-saving equipment. A copy of their manual can be downloaded below.