Local People Creating Local Power

Creating electricity and heat through renewable energy - such as energy crops, solar and hydro-power, wood fuel and wind - is something that all local people can now benefit from, thanks to the Countryside Agency's Community Renewables Initiative.

The £1.6 million Community Renewables Initiative supported by the DTI and other government bodies, has set up 10 local support teams across England.

The Green Energy Centre, along with its parent Creative Environmental Network and the Local Agenda 21 section of Croydon Council, is part of the team that launched the project in September 2002 in the South East. Other members of the team include the Kent Energy Centre, the South West London Energy Advice Centres and the County Councils in Surrey and Kent.

These teams will help local people and groups to set up environmentally sensitive renewable energy schemes, enabling local communities to benefit directly from the income generated, and reduce emissions of gases that contribute to climate change. The teams will have grants to help communities implement their renewable energy projects.

Projects could include environmentally sensitive developments of solar roofs, wood heat schemes and small to medium wind turbines for a group of houses or buildings like schools, hospitals, offices, shops, farms, community halls, and housing developments.

In Croydon, Kent and Surrey, local community groups, schools and other organisations should register their interest in reaping the benefits of having their own renewable energy installations by calling the Reach project team on 020 8683 6671. If you are outside these areas, please check this link to see if there is a local support team for your area.