Community energy front and centre of GBE’s strategic priorities

On Tuesday 16 September the Energy Secretary, Ed Miliband, issued the Statement of Strategic Priorities for Great British Energy. The section on Local and community energy is quoted below.

“GBE’s role in the Local Power Plan will ensure the benefits of the clean energy transition flow back to the UK public, driving a significant increase in the deployment of clean power generation in communities, increasing their engagement in, ownership of and support for the transition.”

NB it is focussed on ‘clean power generation’ but at CEE we are constantly urging the government to ensure the holistic Smart Local Energy Systems, which community energy is so good at, are supported in a joined up way. We are working to ensure community energy voices are heard in the development of the Local Power Plan and GBE’s detailed strategic plan coming soon.

“Local and community energy 
It is critical that GBE drives the sustained long-term growth of local and community energy, working alongside DESNZ to deliver the Local Power Plan. Later this year, DESNZ and GBE will jointly publish the Local Power Plan which will set out our respective roles and collective mission to sustainably grow the sector. GBE’s role in the Local Power Plan will ensure the benefits of the clean energy transition flow back to the UK public, driving a significant increase in the deployment of clean power generation in communities, increasing their engagement in, ownership of and support for the transition. In parallel, DESNZ will focus on unlocking the policy and regulatory barriers to community and local energy projects necessary to deliver the Local Power Plan, working with the devolved governments on matters of devolved competence as appropriate.

In supporting delivery of the Local Power Plan, GBE should prioritise interventions to unlock the potential local and community energy pipeline in the UK, which has faced cost, capacity and capability constraints. This will further support a more decentralised and resilient energy system, enhancing the UK’s energy security.

Specifically, GBE should target support for renewable generation led by local government, mayoral strategic authorities and community energy groups – working with the devolved governments on matters of devolved competence – through offering:

• capacity and capability support across these groups, utilising its in-house expertise as the UK’s publicly owned energy developer. GBE should establish a specialist advisory service to provide technical, project planning and commercial support at all stages of project development, complementing existing delivery mechanisms, including those of the devolved governments
• A cohesive package of financial support, including:
  • grants and loans to support projects, including at their early, riskiest stages, thereby enabling projects to develop to a point where they can attract investment from the private sector or from other public investors, such as the NWF
  • entering joint ventures and equity partnerships for relevant projects
• promoting shared ownership in existing or soon to be developed renewable generation

GBE should design and target its activities across the UK to take account of the existing local delivery landscape and ensure its support is additive to existing schemes and structures. It should also work closely with the devolved governments on specific matters of devolved competence.”