Co-ops Come Together at 'Empowering Change: Community Energy For a Sustainable Future' Conference

Directors of renewable energy co-ops from the Highlands of Scotland to Northern Ireland and the south of England came together at the weekend for Energy4All's Conference 'Empowering Change: Community Energy for a Sustainable Future'. 

The conference was held at Lancaster University and featured discussions around community energy's role in the Local Power Plan, community ownership of offshore wind, and how to maximise the impacts of community benefit from renewables schemes.

There was a positive sense that the voices of the community energy sector are currently being listened to in government: Sarah Boyack MSP (Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Just Transition) gave the keynote speech on Friday evening and a video message from Michael Shanks MP (Under-Secretary of State at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero) was played on Saturday morning.

Both highlighted the importance of community energy in giving people a genuine stake in their energy future.

A session was held on Community Energy and the Local Power Plan, reflecting on the opportunities presented but also the steps needed to keep up momentum. This included strong collaboration with the public sector, the support of capacity building and possible mandatory shared ownership of renewable energy projects.

Emma Bridge, CEO of Community Energy England, said that closer communication is needed: it was noted that the recent announcement by GB Energy to fund solar PV panels on schools and hospitals across the UK has caused confusion around some community energy projects that were already underway in this area.

Energy4All and the BlueFloat/Nadara Partnership discussed the potential for community ownership of offshore wind in Scotland. A new report was recently produced about maximising value for local communities from potential investment and ownership of this technology, and a pilot project is now being explored which will examine how sustainable community benefits from primarily offshore wind could be developed in a way that secures the long-term benefits of clean energy for the whole of Scotland.

Case studies from Energy4All member co-ops were presented by directors from Dundee Renewable Energy Society, North Lincolnshire Community Energy, and Drumlin Wind Energy Co-operative, and Janet Moxley from Auchrobert Community Energy Society discussed best practice in distributing community benefit funds.

Thank you to all speakers and delegates, there is plenty to reflect on for the year ahead.