'More support needed' for small green energy projects

Green energy projects run by communities are being blocked by the UK government, according to a new report. The study, part funded by EDF energy, found that there are gaps in the provisions made by the government, which are affecting the amount of support provided for community-led renewable energy schemes.

The report looked at the benefits that sustainable projects run by local communities and groups could have and suggested they could be highly beneficial to fighting climate change. It suggests that projects such as hydroelectric turbines, solar panels and wind turbines could help provide low carbon energy to the UK while also tackling the issue of global warming.

Researchers at the University of East Anglia (UEA) and the University of Sussex found that although the Coalition Government's Community Energy Strategy has helped to increase the amount of support available for community schemes, more is needed. According to the report, more provisions need to be made to help smaller renewable energy projects become reality.

The research team looked at 12 small green energy schemes that have been designed to help cut down high carbon energy usage in local communities throughout the UK. The projects included solar panel arrays, eco home developments and hydroelectric turbines. Researchers also spoke to those that are responsible for getting the projects going.

It was found that there is a great level of enthusiasm for these smaller projects, however, the groups do not always benefit from the resources and knowledge they need to see the schemes reach their full potential.

Dr Gill Seyfang, from the UEA's School of Environmental Sciences and lead researcher on the study, said: “The Community Energy Strategy has adopted many of our recommendations for supporting mentoring and intermediary organisations, but much more still needs to be done. A huge priority is for government to recognise that many community energy projects are aiming to tackle fuel poverty and develop stronger communities, as well as generating or saving energy.

“Evaluation and performance monitoring really needs to value these different kinds of results, and not simply focus on the amounts of energy produced.

“Community energy has a part to play in a sustainable energy future for the UK, but demands joined-up policy support, spanning community development, social inclusion, regeneration, energy and climate change.”