Communities & Energy

Communities are becoming more engaged than ever with their energy, from hosting projects, education initiatives and energy efficiency programmes, to reaping the benefits of local developments.

There are exciting opportunities open to those looking to generate their own power, and for those looking to develop local community schemes such as the successful Westmill Wind Farm, which is 100 per cent community owned.

Onshore wind provides many environmental, social and economic benefits, including the provision of local facilities, energy efficiency measures, significant job creation, education and training, energy security and inward investment.

Research conducted by RenewableUK on onshore wind farms has shown that for each installed megawatt (MW), around £100,000 stays in the community and surrounding areas during the lifetime of a project.

The industry works closely with the government, councils, local communities and wider interest groups, to ensure benefits associated with wind energy developments are felt by those who live locally. In 2011 RenewableUK developed the Community Benefits Protocol to cement the industry’s commitment to local communities in England. Initiatives are also underway in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

RenewableUK has worked closely with the government, and other groups, to look at different community engagement processes and community benefits across the UK. This work will feed into an Onshore Wind Review initiated by DECC, due to report its findings in summer 2013.