“Given the enormous potential for community energy to help avert the devastation of climate change and alleviate the desperation of fuel poverty. We must push for more.”
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A year and a half ago, the move towards community energy gathered pace:
And a year on, in July, things were indeed moving forward:
A cross-party group of MPs have called on the government to enact a ‘Right to Local Supply’ as they debated new rules to enable clean community energy. These rules would form part of the Local Electricity Bill, which argues that such measures would improve competition, create skilled jobs and reduce customers utility bills. At the same time, they would help acceleration the construction of new clean energy infrastructure, like community solar developments.
Cross-party group of MPs call for community energy to be ‘fully enabled’ | solarpowerportal.co.uk
Community energy schemes benefit local economies and create clean, local power. Their potential is huge, but is blocked by outdated energy market rules. The Local Electricity Bill, if enacted, would ensure this potential is realised by creating a right to local supply, empowering new community energy companies to sell clean power directly to local homes and businesses.
An energy market reform that would help local communities and the planet | localgov.co.uk
The Power for the People group is the campaign behind the Bill:
THE COMMUNITY ENERGY REVOLUTION | Campaign for the Local Electricity Bill | powerforpeople.org.uk
This is the latest news from the campaign:
| Despite very short notice, the turnout at yesterday’s debate for the Local Electricity Bill was excellent. MPs from all parties spoke in favour of the Bill as key to unblocking community energy. The Energy Minister, Greg Hands (who is responsible for UK energy policy) reaffirmed the Government’s support for the Bill’s “broad intentions” and committed to meeting with the Bill’s sponsors to discuss a way forward. This is good progress. But the Minister’s words revealed that, for now, the Government are not willing to implement the change we are seeking, despite the ever-building public and Parliamentary support. This is unacceptable given the enormous potential for community energy to help avert the devastation of climate change and alleviate the desperation of fuel poverty. We must push for more. |