Saffron Walden Community Energy (SWCE) based in Uttlesford, Essex has won new funding for a wide-ranging energy advice and retrofit programme, with support from Community Energy South.
The funding totals £34k and comes from SWCE’s local council, Uttlesford District Council, with the project following on from a successful housing retrofit review carried out last year.
The decarbonisation project will deliver:
- new energy advice staffing
- collaboration between parish councils and residents
- surveying and thermal imagery of local homes
- tackling retrofit advice on a wide range of home types including listed buildings
- community events and open eco homes
- creating a list of trusted local suppliers and trades people
- providing support for retrofit grants applications and work
- rolling out this model to other parts of the district
“Many people are aware of the need to save energy and reduce carbon use, but significant barriers still exist; lack of trusted advice, reduced funding, insufficient trade expertise and planning restrictions to name a few. By working together at community scale we hope to address these barriers and share best practice within Littlebury and to other villages in the district” said Chris Dodge, Chair of Saffron Walden Community Energy.
The team at Community Energy South will provide guidance following the success of the CommuniHeat project previously carried out in the area.
There are now four groups like SWCE in Essex, and Community Energy South is entering a new phase to support three more new groups.
The Community Energy Pathways programme helps build local capacity so people can create their own energy projects such as community owned solar and vital energy efficiency support for the vulnerable, resulting in lower energy bills.
Our goal is to develop a thriving community energy sector and enable local authorities to meet their net zero ambitions, in line with their energy and climate change strategies.