A cross-party committee of MPs has backed calls from local leaders to give communities a “real stake in the clean power”, warning the UK Government it will miss its own delivery targets without them.
It follows UK100, the cross-party network of local authorities focusing on clean energy and community energy, giving both written and oral evidence to the inquiry.
The report draws directly on that evidence, including from Councillor Emily O’Brien, Cabinet Member for Climate Change at Lewes District Council, Leader of the new Green Group at the Local Government Association, and a graduate of UK100’s Climate Leadership Academy, who appeared before the inquiry on the network’s behalf.
In its report, Get connected: How community energy can turbocharge the transition, the Energy Security and Net Zero Committee finds that community ownership of energy is “in danger of being left behind in the transition unless the Department takes urgent action.”
It warns that areas hosting large-scale renewable projects too often “see pylons but none of the profits.” and the committee was “not convinced” the UK Government will deliver 8GW by 2030.
The report calls for its recommendations to be delivered “at pace” through the Energy Independence Bill now before Parliament.
In addition, the MPs report echoes UK100’s central asks of a national framework for local energy planning with associated funding, further planning changes to support community ownership and the need for a “real community stake” in local projects.
The Committee recommends the UK Government use existing powers in the 2015 Infrastructure Act to give communities the right to buy a 20% stake in renewable projects in their area at a fair price, and to lift the minimum stake developers must offer from 5% to 20%.
Christopher Hammond, Chief Executive of UK100, said:
“Local energy is the most secure energy, but it’s only right that the communities that host the infrastructure share in the profits, not just the disruption. This report sends a clear message that bolstering Britain’s energy independence requires giving people a genuine stake in clean energy.
“Our members have said that local authorities are ready to help deliver community energy, but they cannot do it on good will alone. We welcome the Committee’s call for a proper national framework for local energy planning, with dedicated funding, and for communities to be offered a real share in the projects on their doorstep.”
“Ministers now have the chance to act. The Energy Independence Bill is the moment to turn these recommendations into law, plugging the remaining gaps in the system. Let’s make sure every community, in every part of the country, feels the benefit of the clean energy security era.”
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