Developing New Community Energy Groups in Powys

Why? / Pam?

Community owned energy schemes offer an abundance of opportunities for local residents to come together to act on climate change, tackle fuel poverty and raise funds for local projects. However, successful schemes need long term thinking and commitment and it can be difficult to know where to start! This project aims to support emerging community energy groups with skills, networking opportunities and professional support to help them get started.

What? / Beth?

Community energy specialists Sharenergy have been commissioned to offer support to several new groups in Powys .

An open workshop was held in August 2022 to give local groups the background knowledge they need to identify potential community energy projects in their area. 25 participants representing seven groups from across Powys attended. The workshop was held both in person and online, to give those not able to travel to Llandrindod the opportunity to attend.

Following the workshop, supported groups are looking at sites in their neighbourhoods which might be suitable for renewable energy projects. These will be assessed for feasibility by Sharenergy. A follow up workshop will bring groups back together to discuss the results of the feasibility studies and next steps.

Following the introductory workshop, several groups expressed interest in keeping in touch, to share knowledge and experiences. An online group has been set up to facilitate this and is open to anyone involved in, or interested in starting, community energy projects in Powys.