DECC sets out new standards for wind energy schemes to work with local communities
DECC has published new guidance on how wind energy schemes should work with local communities. Written by local renewable energy experts Regen SW, the guidance calls for partnerships between communities and developers of wind energy.
The guidance focuses on how community benefit funds can be used effectively, following the commitment by the wind industry earlier this year to provide benefit packages of £5000 per MW per year to communities near wind energy schemes over 5MW in size. It gives examples of different ways in which funds and other investments by developers have been used by local communities to realise their ambitions, from the provision of care services to mountain bike trails. The guidance is expected to be followed shortly be a community ‘right to invest’ in new renewable energy projects that will also apply to solar schemes.
Jodie Giles, communities project manager at Regen SW said “We are delighted that more communities are getting involved with sustainable energy, and in particular onshore wind projects – one of the most efficient and cost effective renewables technologies available. If communities are looking for help to navigate the renewables landscape or have been approached by a developer, I would encourage them to sign up to our free network at www.regensw.co.uk/communities where I can help them through the process and put them in touch with other communities facing similar issues”.
Examples of how communities have been able to utilise community benefits from wind energy schemes will soon be recorded on DECC’s new community benefits register for England, which Regen SW is working on with DECC and Renewable UK; expected to go live later this autumn.
The guidance gives examples of best practice engagement and highlights some exemplary practice from those working in renewable energy in the south west, including Communities for Renewables CIC, Wadebridge Renewable Energy Network, Good Energy and South West Water.
