Community Energy in Northumberland: Transforming Sustainability
Discover how a community initiative in Northumberland aims to reduce energy costs, enhance sustainability, and generate revenue through solar power and cooperative efforts. Learn about the benefits, governance structure, and current progress of the project.
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Presentation Transcript
Rural Rural Community Energy in Northumberland Community Energy in Northumberland 24th January 2023
Aims Four aims: 1. Reduce energy costs for community buildings 2. Support resilience in response to long term climate change and short term events 3. Reduce carbon footprint of community activities 4. Generate revenue for community groups all whilst limiting risk and maximising reward for community groups
Basic principle Community group Power supply agreement Power supply agreement and lease agreement Solar panels Energy supplier Cooperative Batteries
How it works Coop funds, installs, owns, maintains and insures solar panels, inverters, batteries and control software Coop has a peppercorn lease arrangement with the community group for a minimum of 20 years Community group buys power from Coop when local generation is available at a discount to grid rates When local generation is not available, community group buys energy from grid as usual
Benefits for community groups Coop bids for grant funding and secures loan funding at preferential rates, allowing discounts on energy to community groups Coop is able to access preferential rates for installations Solar panels reduce carbon footprint Local generation and storage increase resilience in case of adverse events Coop takes on all risk Coop negotiates with energy providers to achieve bulk buying discounts on grid power
Governance Coop to be formed as a Community Benefit Society All participating community buildings have a right to be a member of the Coop One member / one share / one vote Liability limited to value of share ( 1) Members appoint directors from mixture of members and independent trustees with relevant expertise Asset lock Coop being formed at the moment
Current status Funding secured for first three installations Discussions underway to fund 16 installations in 2024 Additional 20 community groups engaged for next phase Aim to reach 100 installations Now looking for expressions of interest to be involved in phase 3 (likely 2025) contact hello@ruraldesigncentre.com to register interest
Thanks to our partners and funders Partnership between Rural Design Centre, NICRE and Community Action Northumberland RCEF funding from BEIS and DEFRA through the North East, Yorkshire and Humber Energy Hub Rural Design Centre Innovation Project part-funded by European Regional Development Fund and North of Tyne Combined Authority
