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Today in the United States is Independence Day, but for the NFLAs in the UK and Republic of Ireland July 4 should be designated Energy Independents’ Day to recognise the work and commitment of householders, community groups, businesses, and local authorities generating energy independently for themselves using renewable energy sources.
Handily the occasion falls within Community Energy Fortnight 2024 (1-14 July), a two-week campaign dedicated to promoting community-led energy projects and to encourage communities to take charge of their energy future. It is run by Community Energy England and sponsored by Thrive Renewables.
Community Energy England has announced that the theme for this year’s campaign is empowerment with the goals for the fortnight being ‘to amplify the impact of past achievements within the community energy sector and its ability to empower and energise communities; to showcase the sector’s breadth and scale, and help spread the word about community energy; and to highlight the sector’s full potential and show policy makers the barriers that need to be removed to #empowercommunityenergy.’
Rather than being profit-focused, renewable energy cooperatives are community- and people-focused.
Unlike big energy generators, which are often majority owned by foreign interests, these projects are owned by the community which hosts them as residents contribute to start-up costs by investing in a share offer, usually with a low entry level. They are also democratic with each member having one vote regardless of the number of shares held, with all members being able to stand for the board, and with a transparent structure of governance.
Such projects are not focused upon maximising profit for shareholders, rather they pay from their profits a small return to members and invest the remaining surplus income back into other community projects that benefit local people.
Often the energy these projects generate is used to power community buildings at lower cost, saving them money and reducing their carbon-footprint, and when these buildings are schools, the renewable technologies can be used to support educational activities.
CEE has a dedicated page about the Community Energy Fortnight:
https://www.communityenergyengland.org/pages/community-energy-fortnight
There are two forthcoming webinars from Bath and West Community Energy and Solar for Schools that may be of interest to readers.
For more information, please contact NFLA Secretary Richard Outram by email to richard.outram@manchester.gov.uk
Bath and West Community Energy – https://www.bwce.coop
Buying shares in Community Energy – an ethical investment for you, your community and the planet.
11/7/2024, 1 – 2pm
An introduction to Community Energy, and the power of investing in a grass roots membership community business, enabling positive action on climate change at a local level.
Set up in 2010, BWCE operates as a nonprofit distributing and member led community business, founded on co-operative principles, with strong protections built into its governance to ensure it operates for community benefit. To date BWCE runs 31 solar rooftop schemes across schools and community buildings, 5 solar farms and a small hydro project. Much of the funding for these developments was raised by the investment of the 1000 strong members proud to be generating enough clean electricity annually to power the equivalent of 5,000 homes and by 2022 BWCE has been involved in delivering 40% of the renewable energy capacity in Bath & North East Somerset.
Now with a turnover of over £3 million, BWCE is one of the largest of the community energy businesses driving change within their local community. Since 2015 surpluses from our projects have enabled us to donate nearly £400,000 to an independent community fund that distribute grants to support local community action on carbon reduction and fuel poverty but still there is so much more that is needed by BWCE and others if we are going to meet the net zero requirements needed to ensure our children, and future generations, inherit a liveable climate.
We need to raise a further £800,000 this year to continue the roll out of further roof top solar schemes on local schools and community buildings waiting in the pipeline. Could you support us by investing in shares? From a minimum investment of £100 upwards to £100,000. Members currently receive a 5% return on their investment and the knowledge that they have made an ethical investment with a return for themselves, the community, and their future planet.
Register: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/bathwestcommunityenergy/1300942
Solar for Schools https://www.solarforschools.co.uk
Building a low carbon future one school at a time
11/7/2024, 5 – 5:45pm
A webinar with Solar for Schools Community Benefit Society that explores the urgent need for funding for solar on UK schools.
In this online discussion, we’ll speak to Solar for Schools community benefit society representatives to look at their successful model of installing solar panels on UK schools, the urgent need for funding, and the benefits the panels provide.
We will hear how 200+ schools around the UK have already benefitted from solar panel installation that not only provides them with a cheaper and cleaner energy supply but also gives them access to an education programme that promotes sustainability to students.
We’ll learn about the Solar for Schools funding model and how bondholders are vital. On the launch of their latest investment bond offer, we’ll explain how everyday investors are taking action with their money to support this pioneering community-focused organisation, and in the process helping to inspire the policymakers of the future.
During the discussion, we will also look at the overall changing landscape for community-owned clean energy in the next five years and how investors will play a key role in shaping that.
The audience will have the opportunity to put questions to the panel.
Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_7mPxK5dAQxiFdc47YuvcHQ
Panellists:
Jeroen Huysinga, Senior Investment Manager, Ethex (host)
Robert Schrimpff, Director, Solar for Schools
Ann Flaherty, Director, Solar for Schools
