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Power to the People:
Scaling Up Community Energy
The Power to the People: Maximising the Local Power Plan event, hosted by the Co-operative Party on Sunday, 9th February 2025, brought together key voices in local government and community energy. Discussions focused on how councils, co-ops and communities can drive the expansion of locally owned renewables.
CO2Sense’s Hugh Goulbourne shared insights from over two decades of experience as a catalytic investor – from building a pipeline of small scale wind assets to catalysing community hydro and providing a ‘cornerstone’ for community shares and bonds.
Hugh highlighted the positive mood music within the community and clean energy sectors as a result of the government’s commitment to the Local Power Plan, a commitment which was reaffirmed by MP Tom Hayes during yesterday’s panel discussion.
Key Takeaways
Our key takeaways from the event are:
- Short term: There is a significant pipeline of solar projects that could be switched on within the next 12-18months – it is critical that initial support should be focused on assisting councils and community energy groups to turn these into ‘shovel-ready’ solar projects.
- In the longer term:
- Councils and community groups from Oxford to Barnsley to Tynside have demonstrated that they know best how to find local innovative solutions to decarbonise power and heat;
- GB Energy can make a huge difference by committing ‘risk capital’ to support in the development of these innovative community energy projects;
- Ultimately community energy at scale can become an investable proposition for institutional investors such as pension funds, especially if locational pricing models (local energy markets) can be introduced into the UK.
- Councils and Combined authorities can work with GB Energy and investment platforms such as CO2Sense, Ethex and Abundance to understand how they can structure these projects so as to attract a blend of investors. It is worth noting that the arrival of Donald Trump as president in the USA, is driving a wave of principled and forward thinking investors towards the UK.
Have Your Say: Help Shape Local Power Support
CO2Sense has partnered with UK100 to understand how best to support local energy initiatives.
If you’re a council officer working in energy or climate, please share your insights.
The survey should only take 15-20 minutes and your response will help to shape:
- Future investment
- Training
- Policy support for local energy initiatives
CO2Sense remains committed to working with councils, policymakers and partners to accelerate the shift to a cleaner, more resilient energy future.
Find out how you could profit by working with CO2Sense
CO2Sense can help you with bridge loans, match funding for community shares and medium-term loans for your renewable energy projects.
Contact us today on talk2us@co2sense.co.uk
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