Summary of the Challenge
Community energy projects present a significant opportunity to decarbonise whilst also enhancing public engagement with the energy transition. However, the uptake of community energy projects in South Yorkshire remains significantly lower than other regions. This disparity is largely attributed to insufficient engagement and support from local authorities.
Local authorities often hesitate to partner with community energy groups due to perceived financial risks. There is a desire to retain the revenue generated on council owned land to support stretched budgets. Further challenges include overcoming bureaucratic barriers within local authorities.
There are examples of successful community energy schemes in the region. Energise Barnsley is the UK’s largest community energy PV and battery storage scheme and Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council is a key partner. However, there has not been the same level of collaboration in the other areas of South Yorkshire. The lack of consistent support for community energy projects across the region creates an uneven playing field for community energy development and hinders the realisation of broader social and economic benefits such as local economic growth and community empowerment.
This situation presents a significant barrier to achieving the aims of the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority Energy Strategy, which emphasises the importance of enabling community energy schemes and encouraging public participation in the energy transition.
Our Response
This project aims to develop a comprehensive Community Energy Toolkit for local authorities in South Yorkshire.
The toolkit will be developed in collaboration with key stakeholders and partners including local authorities, community energy groups, Community Energy England and the North East & Yorkshire Net Zero Hub. By addressing the specific needs and concerns of local authorities, this project aims to provide a resource that supports the uptake of more community energy projects in South Yorkshire. Partnerships like these are key to establishing and sustaining community energy projects.
For local authorities, the toolkit will serve as a valuable resource to:
- Educate and inform - Provide clear and concise information on the benefits of partnering with community energy groups including social, environmental and economic advantages.
- Overcome barriers - Provide practical guidance on navigating bureaucratic barriers, such as legal and procurement processes, and provide templates and best practices for successful partnerships.
- Address financial concerns - The toolkit will address concerns regarding financial risks and demonstrate how local authorities can maximise their return on investment whilst also supporting community energy development.
- Promote consistency - By providing a standardised approach to community energy engagement, the toolkit will help mitigate the “postcode lottery” of support across the region.
This project builds on the Policy & Governance Work Package’s Energy Communities project which has completed data analysis and forged collaborative and productive relationships with community energy stakeholders.
