Energise Barnsley
Barnsley
Co-op is the largest local authority and community solar energy and battery storage project in the UK.
Energise Barnsley was developed through the partnership of organisations and individuals who are collectively working together to deliver community-owned renewable energy and heating projects across the borough.
It was set up with Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council, Generation Community Ventures, Ignite and British Gas Solar to help deliver lasting social impact across the Barnsley area. In 2018, it won the Collaboration Award sponsored by Power to Change for the most commendable collaboration between community and commercial/public/third sector partners.
Energise Barnsley has undertaken a number of projects in collaboration with a wide range of partners, including installing solar panels and batteries in more than 300 council homes, municipal buildings and schools, focusing on people at risk of fuel poverty.
Andy Heald, Energise Barnsley Director, said: “We are proud to continue our work in the community to reduce electricity bills, and build a future electricity network that benefits low carbon technologies.”
New rules needed
Policies that can help unleash the potential of this or similar initiatives across the UK.
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Finance a Green New Deal
Government-led investment is vital – here are five ways to pay. -
Create devolved ‘just transition’ funds
Government should devolve a proportion of its Green New Deal budget to support local just transition plans. -
Replace GDP with better measures of national success
Better headline indicators – that reflect the things we really want – are essential for better policymaking. -
Introduce a Sustainable Economy Act
Climate change laws should be extended to set binding targets to protect all aspects of our environment.
