FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
#EmpowerCommunityEnergy: Community Energy England Launches Community Energy Fortnight 2024 – Urging Government and Local Authorities to Support Community-Led Energy Initiatives and Empower Communities
Community Energy England has launched Community Energy Fortnight 2024, a two-week campaign dedicated to promoting community-led energy initiatives and empowering communities to take charge of their energy future. The campaign, proudly supported by Thrive Renewables, will take place from 1-14 July 2024.
Community Energy Fortnight will be truly people-powered, with community organisations across the sector hosting a wide range of online and in-person events, creating videos, writing blogs, and holding social media space to promote their community energy projects.
This year’s campaign is a rallying cry for political parties and local authorities to recognise the power of community-owned energy, which not only promotes sustainable practices but also strengthens and energises communities across the nation.
Goals of Community Energy Fortnight
Community Energy Fortnight aims to raise the profile of community-led and owned energy, connect practitioners in the sector wherever they are in the country, and inspire new people, businesses, and other organisations to get involved in creating a people-powered, sustainable, and resilient energy system.
The theme is empowerment, and Community Energy England is inviting and encouraging individuals and organisations to participate and embrace this spirit. The goals of Community Energy Fortnight are to:
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Celebrate the successes within the community energy sector and its ability to empower and energise communities.
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Spread the word about the diverse and extensive nature of community energy projects.
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Demonstrate the full potential of community energy and advocate for the removal of barriers to #EmpowerCommunityEnergy.
Elevating the Sector’s Profile through social media
The significance of this year’s campaign lies in its timing with the general election and its potential to influence political agendas and policies, ultimately leading to a transformation of the UK’s energy system for the better. By participating in Community Energy Fortnight and engaging with the general election, community energy organisations can help highlight the importance of community-driven energy solutions on the political agenda.
Community Energy England urges participants to use the fortnight as a communications opportunity to raise their organisation’s profile with local people, politicians, and potential partners, helping to elevate the sector’s profile nationally.
Social media is a crucial tool for engaging the public and, by extension, politicians. Effective communications now could result in significant benefits for the sector after the election.
Emma Bridge, Chief Executive of Community Energy England, said:
‘’Hosting this campaign allows us to shine a spotlight on the incredible work being done by community energy organisations across the country. Community energy plays a vital role in empowering local communities to take control of their energy generation, reduce carbon emissions, support vulnerable people, and build more resilient and sustainable futures. As we approach the general election, it is crucial to highlight how our campaign intersects with the broader political landscape, emphasising the importance of community energy as a key topic deserving national attention.
She added, “We invite everyone to participate in this unique opportunity to learn, engage, and contribute to the clean energy transition at the community level. By coming together and empowering our communities, we can build a thriving community energy sector integrated into and truly powering a fair, zero-carbon energy system. Let’s ensure that community energy is a focal point in the general election, demonstrating its potential to drive both local and national progress.”
This year’s Fortnight is supported by renewable energy investment company, Thrive Renewables. Matthew Clayton, Managing Director of Thrive Renewables, said: “Now more than ever, it’s vital that we empower communities to take the lead in the UK’s clean energy transition. Community-owned projects not only generate cleaner, cheaper power for homes and businesses across the country, but their profits are used to improve the lives of people living locally. We believe in the power of together and are proud to support Community Energy Fortnight in providing vital advice, guidance and resources so that more neighbourhoods can benefit from renewables.”
A range of resources is now available to help community energy groups across the country get involved with Community Energy Fortnight.
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About Community Energy England
Community Energy England (CEE) is a not-for-profit organisation that represents and supports over 300 organisations committed to putting people at the heart of energy transformation CEE was established by the sector to provide a voice for community energy and to help create the conditions within which it can flourish. This is done by increasing the profile of community energy, sharing learning and innovation, and by advocating for supportive policies at national and local levels.
Community Energy England has worked with partners to secure pledges of significant support for community energy from major parties, which would genuinely #EmpowerCommunityEnergy. See our summary of what they’re offering here.
About Thrive Renewables
Thrive Renewables is a renewable energy investment company that has been funding, building and operating renewable energy projects in the UK for 30 years.
The company’s operational portfolio currently consists of 22 projects, plus further renewable energy and storage projects in development. With assets under management of £129 million in 2023, its portfolio generated over 136,000 MWh of clean electricity in 2023, delivering emissions reductions equivalent to 58,620 tCO2e.
Vision: We believe in the power of together. A world where everyone can be part of the clean energy generation.
Mission: Putting money to work building new sustainable energy projects and empowering people to take action to address the climate emergency.
For more information please contact Kim Woodcock: [email protected]