The Department of Trade and Industry has
launched a new initiative to help schools, offices and housing developments
in England play a part in reducing the effects of climate change. The
£1.6 million Community Renewables initiative will set up local
support teams in 10 areas covering half of England. The support teams
will help local people and organisations devise renewable energy schemes
suited to their area. The aim is to not only create environment friendly
developments but to enable community groups to directly benefit from
the income generated. The local support teams, which are made up of
local councils, energy experts, government bodies and other specialists
will provide advice and training on feasibility studies, funding, technology
issues, planning, environmental assessment and public participation.
£1.6m is not exactly major funding, but the DTI
did point out that the community schemes can draw upon the Government’s:
- £20 million major solar photovoltaic
(PV) demonstration programme which will include support for community
projects and individual households. See details later.
- £10 million programme for renewable energy
schemes with strong local community or household interest
- £5 million renewable energy budget for
fuel poor households that are off grid or without mains gas connections.
Examples of the types of projects the initiative
hopes to develop include: Turning waste from farm and food waste into
natural gas to generate electricity for community buildings; Using
wood fired boilers to heat schools; Harnessing solar energy to power
hospitals. It sounds very worthwhile - if the familiar practical and
bureaucratic obstacles can be overcome.
Brian Wilson, Minister for Energy, said: ‘This
initiative could lead to schools powered by small scale wind turbines,
hospitals with solar rooftops and houses with wood chip fired boilers.
Everyone can play a part in increasing the amount of renewable energy
the UK uses. Educating people is the key to helping people develop their
own renewable energy ideas. I am determined to no longer waste the will
and determination of local groups to produce green electricity. These
new projects will bring educational opportunities and local jobs as
well as the obvious environmental benefits. Potential for employing
manufacturing skills is an important part of the case in favour of developing
our renewables. Another key aspect of this initiative is that it will
give a further source of income to the communities involved in such
schemes. Innovative ideas like this could be the key to regenerating
some our more deprived areas. The support teams will also provide innovative
ways of providing cheap and efficient power to those who live in tough
social conditions. Crucially, they may be able to help set up renewable
energy schemes for households which aren’t connected to the mains gas
supply.’
Countryside Agency Board member Tony Hams said that
the ‘Cabinet Office Energy Review called
for public involvement in renewable energy. This is exactly the role
of the Countryside Agency’s Community Renewables Initiative. It will
help people devise renewable energy developments suited to their own
locality, that they can benefit from.We are delighted with the support
we've received from fellow Government departments. Now we must work
together and help people get environmentally sensitive renewables projects
on the ground.’
The initiative is a joint scheme between the Countryside
Agency,The Energy saving Trust, DTI, DEFRA and the Forestry Commission.
For details see: www.countryside.gov.uk/communityrenewables
For the local contacts see our groups section. Scotland is to have a
similar scheme.
