Local Group Awarded £20,000 to Explore Community Energy

Sustainable Crediton has just been allocated almost £20,000 to develop a community-owned energy project.

"We are delighted that this grant will allow people in the Crediton area to start work on creating an energy enterprise that will benefit the local community", said Linda Lever of Sustainable Crediton.

"The money, which comes from the Rural Community Energy Fund (RCEF), will pay for a feasibility study to identify renewable energy resources in the Crediton area, and which ones could be offered by a community-owned company. "

RCEF helps rural communities develop renewable energy projects which deliver local economic and social benefits and reduce use of fossil fuels. It is being delivered by WRAP on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC)

 David Rogers, Programme Manager for WRAP said: "I'm delighted that Sustainable Crediton's bid has been successful. I look forward to working with them on this exciting community renewable energy project."

"Our initial grant will pay for investigations into the project's feasibility. A further £130,000 could then be available as an unsecured loan to develop a robust business case and attract further investment. We are particularly keen for local people to have the chance to invest, because renewable energy can offer a good financial return, and help support the local economy."

Building on success

The new project builds on significant work already carried out locally. "We have great experience running renewable energy projects," said Sustainable Crediton's Charles Mossman. "We successfully arranged the installation of photovoltaic panels on 70 homes and two community buildings over a two year period, with project turnover close to £750,000.

"And our Warm Homes Pilot Project last year installed air source heat pumps and solar hot water panels in eight homes."

"We are also fortunate that Mid Devon District Council understands the benefits of renewable energy. It has installed a state of the art biomass boiler at Lord's Meadow Leisure Centre, and is a leading local authority in installing solar PV in its social housing."

The grant is also a wonderful opportunity to help the local economy, according to Andrew Shadrake from DARE, the North Tawton based energy advisers who are working with Sustainable Crediton on the project.

"People and businesses in Crediton pay almost £6 million a year for electricity and gas," he said. "Almost all of that money leaves the local economy.  How much better it would be if some of that was spent locally, supporting the local community."

Have your say

Sustainable Crediton is very keen to hear from people who would like to learn more, state their views, or become involved. "It's very important to us that everyone has their say, so that the project is developed in the way they want," said Sustainable Crediton Chair, John Skrine. "And, of course, people will eventually have the chance to become members of the company, deciding what it does, and how its profits should be used for community benefit."

"We've made a start with a small survey and a public meeting. The survey showed overwhelming support for the idea of a community energy company, and gave us a preliminary idea about which renewable technologies are preferred. But we need to know much more about what will be right for the area, and to get more people involved."

Linda Lever added: "The idea is to set up a community-owned company that can create local jobs and produce income to go back into the community. This income could help people tackle fuel poverty and provide other benefits."

An autumn public meeting is planned for 7:30pm on the 20th October at Crediton Football Club clubhouse when people can find out more, and help decide what the project will do. Meanwhile, Sustainable Crediton is urging people to get involved, and contribute their views, by doing the online survey at http://tinyurl.com/creditonsurvey, visiting Sustainable Crediton's Facebook page, tweeting @suscred on Twitter, emailing energy@sustainablecrediton.org.uk or leaving a message on 07506 290198.   

"We really need people to give us their views on the sort of renewable energy they would like to see, how local people and companies might benefit from it, and how they would like to be involved," said Linda Lever.