Community energy capacity continues to grow across the South West, with a series of network events bringing together local authorities, community organisations and energy groups to share ideas, build partnerships and explore new opportunities.
The second Hampshire and Solent Community Energy Network event took place in early September at Solent University, attracting community organisations and local authorities for presentations and networking. The network is already helping to catalyse action across the region, with several new community energy groups emerging and exploring opportunities to develop local projects and work with local authorities.
As one attendee, Andrew Tolfts of Dragonfly Power, commented: “So glad I came! Great insights from the Net Zero Hub on what to expect from GB Energy’s Partnership Grant. Really useful too to meet colleagues from community energy groups and councils to share experiences and plans.”
Further strengthening regional collaboration, community energy organisations gathered in Gloucestershire on 10 September for another network event focused on sharing learning and building connections.
Meanwhile, Cornwall hosted the Third Great Cornish Green Energy Summit on 13 September, featuring updates on Cornwall Council’s climate and energy action plan, community conversations feeding into Local Area Energy Planning priorities, and opportunities arising from floating offshore wind in the Celtic Sea. Local MPs also shared updates on GB Energy.
The summit marked the official launch of the Community Energy Cornwall & Isles of Scilly (CECS) network , which aims to strengthen connections, share knowledge and support the growth of locally owned energy projects across the region. A strong theme throughout the day was the desire to ensure Cornwall’s abundant natural resources deliver long-term benefits for local communities, alongside growing interest in developing community buildings as resilience hubs equipped with local energy resources to support communities during powercuts resulting from extreme weather events.
Looking ahead, the South West Net Zero Hub and Ashden are hosting a Community Energy Seeing is Believing event on 7 October. The event will bring together senior local authority leaders, elected members and community energy organisations for a visit to West Solent Solar Cooperative’s community-owned solar farm, showcasing the opportunities emerging through GB Energy and the role community energy can play in building local resilience and delivering community benefit.