Supporting a network of community energy groups
Since 2013, Community Energy South has provided support for the community energy sector. We have helped create, train and support over 40 community energy groups to develop community owned renewable infrastructure and provide energy advice to their communities.
We partner with national and local governments, town and district councils, installers, network operators, advice organisations, and climate action networks to put communities at the heart of the transition to a low carbon economy.
We have a vision that every District or Borough council should benefit from community energy. We want each council to have a Community Energy Network to support their areas to achieve Net Zero.
The benefits of Community Energy
In the community energy sector people work together to reduce energy use and generate low carbon heat and power.
Community energy projects require local leadership, a collective vision and community engagement. As a result, they bring positive outcomes for everyone in the local community. The create a democratic energy system that’s decentralised and decarbonised.
Community groups often have distinct, specific localised goals with an overarching benefit of tackling climate change, energy security and making energy affordable. Ideally, groups deliver on:
- Supporting communities to net zero and helping raise awareness of the value of locally led action on climate change.
- Building and investing in their own renewable energy.
- Understanding local energy needs and helping their communities to save energy and money.
- Offering skills, training and job opportunities.
