Electricity North West, the region’s power network, has welcomed news from Parliament after a new legislation which will transform the UK’s energy system passed the first reading earlier this month.
The Local Electricity Bill would allow community energy groups to sell electricity directly to their local communities, and after passing the first hurdle in Parliament the bill is set for a second reading on July 10th when it will be presented by Altrincham and Sale West MP Sir Graham Brady
Welcoming the Bill’s progress, Electricity North West’s community energy manager, Helen Seagrave, said: “It’s a key time for community energy. We’ve seen major positives throughout our region over the last 12 months, more community energy groups have been formed and there’s been an uptake in community owned energy.
“The Local Electricity Bill will only help increase the use of community energy, not only will it help unlock remarkable potential for new community energy schemes it will also be a huge benefit for the community.”
As well as helping lead towards net zero, the Local Electricity Bill would make the setup and running costs proportionate to the scale of the supply, making projects much more feasible.
Electricity North West has liaised with its customers and stakeholders who believe the bill could help make the previously difficult business models for community and local energy work.
Recent findings from Electricity North West’s State of the Sector report revealed an increase in community-owned electricity generation across the region with seven generation projects installed totalling 826 kilowatts.
The uptake means the total of community owned generation in the North West to 17.5 megawatts across 32 organisations. These schemes to date have generated over 40 gigawatt hours which is enough energy to power 13,300 homes.
“Community Energy really is responding to challenges faced by the decline in the Feed in Tariffs but there’s still so much more to do,” added Seagrave.
“As a business, we’ve granted more than £146,000 to help fund community energy projects and we’ll continue to provide help and support where possible.
“The future is certainly challenging but despite this and the current pandemic, 15 community organisations are planning innovative and impactful low carbon projects this year including electricity generation, low carbon heating, transport and energy efficiency in local homes and schools.”
For more information about the bill, please visit https://powerforpeople.org.uk/the-local-electricity-bill/.
As part of Community Energy Fornight 2020, Helen Seagrave wrote a blog for Community Energy England about the work we're doing to support local communities to #HarnessOurPower. Read the blog in full on Community Energy England's website.
For more information and to read the State of the Sector report visit https://www.enwl.co.uk/zero-carbon/community-and-local-energy/what-is-community-and-local-energy/state-of-the-sector/.
