Streets could set up their own energy companies by sharing solar panels, under plans being looked at by MPs. Currently, those who create their own electricity by using solar or wind power in their communities have to sell it to utility companies. However, campaigners have drawn up a Local Energy Bill which would allow communities to set up their own energy companies. Now, MPs are looking at the plans, supported by the Campaign to Protect Rural England, as a way to generate cheap electricity for local communities and reach Net Zero. For example, local businesses and housing estates could put solar panels on their land and rooftops and sell the electricity at low prices to the local community. Commenting on the Local Energy Bill, Crispin Truman, chief executive of CPRE, the countryside charity said: “To tackle the climate emergency, we need to empower local communities to lead the way with a new generation of renewables. Part of this means making it simple and financially viable for locally generated energy to be sold directly to local people. That’s why we’re supporting the Local Electricity Bill. The Bill holds the potential to help provide a big boost to the small scale, community owned renewables that best fit with the character of our wonderful countryside, and represent the gold standard of renewables done well. We urge all MPs who want to see a just transition to net-zero to support the bill when it returns to Parliament.”
Telegraph 22nd Feb 2021 read more »