The time is now for us all to take action on the climate crisis.
Surrey County Council has declared a climate emergency and committed the county to becoming net zero carbon by 2050. To help achieve this, Surrey County Council have teamed up with Community Energy South to provide support and training for the development of community-led renewable energy groups and projects throughout Surrey.
As part of the project, Community Energy South is contacting local groups and individuals to understand what community led renewable energy projects may already exist. These may include projects that support, generate, own or manage renewable energy installations in local communities, reduce energy consumption and help reduce fuel poverty. Find link to the survey here Community Energy in Surrey – Surrey County Council – Citizen Space (surreysays.co.uk)
Ollie Pendered, Chief Executive of Community Energy South said, “We are thrilled to be working with Surrey County Council to support the growth of community energy across the county. We are excited to discover what projects are already underway and hear about new ideas that are out there. Through our partnership we will find ways to support new projects and groups going forward so that community energy can thrive in Surrey.”
Marisa Heath, Surrey County Council Cabinet Member for Environment, said, “28% of the emissions in Surrey are from the energy used to heat and light our homes. By increasing the amount of green energy produced, we can significantly reduce our carbon footprint as a county. Community energy projects are a fantastic way of empowering communities to generate their own green energy and we’re delighted to be able to support this in Surrey.”
This initiative will provide free resources, business development support, funding and networking opportunities to kick start new organisations in local communities that can develop and manage renewable energy projects.
To find out more please contact
Community Energy South at contact@communityenergysouth.org
Surrey County Council at climatechange@surreycc.gov.uk
(picture: MaidEnergy’s first community owned solar PV project with Magna Carta Secondary school installed 60kWhp roof top solar PV after a local share raise of £97,000. The school gains an income as the owner of gifted shares and over the 20 year lifetime of the project will save tens of thousands of pounds in energy bills and over 300 tonnes of CO2.)