The local energy landscape in Central Bedfordshire is set to be transformed through the formation of two new community energy groups.
Thanks to funding from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy that is aimed at supporting growth across the community energy sector, the council has partnered with Community Energy South to establish a Community Energy Pathways programme. As one of the ten councils that qualified for the first stage of the pathway, the programme will see community groups across the area supported as they look to begin, or develop, their green energy projects.
With the funding of the two groups, Greensand Community Energy and Buzz Community Energy a range of decarbonisation projects are to be developed. These include working with local schools, businesses, and individuals, as well as developing a pipeline of projects that will begin with a school roof solar scheme.
Further groups are also being formed, gaining interest from local groups and residents in wider areas.
Executive Member for Sustainability and Climate Resilience, Cllr Tracy Wye, said:
“These groups are a great way of getting smaller-scale energy decarbonisation projects underway in Central Bedfordshire, whether through installing renewable technology, encouraging active travel or electric vehicles, or reducing the demand for energy.
“It is so important to empower people and communities to be the change they want to see, and to use the funding for a number of individual projects that will add up to a significant reduction in carbon emissions. The schemes will also bring a number of cross-benefits such as savings on energy bills, improving air quality and establishing Central Bedfordshire as a leading example of sustainable energy practices.”
Developments in green energy in Central Bedfordshire come as part of the council’s Sustainability Plan, which was adopted in 2020 and establishes a ‘road map’ of commitments and projects that will help drive plans to make the area net zero by 2030.
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