The East Cambridgeshire Climate Action Network (CAN) is looking for 'community energy champions' in Ely and the surrounding areas to develop their own local community energy projects.
Aimed at addressing the current energy crisis and the climate change challenge, potential 'champions' are invited to attend a meeting at St Mary’s Church, Ely, on June 15.
Projects could take on a variety of different formats like local energy clubs where people get together to share experiences of reducing energy costs and improving the energy efficiency of their homes.
More ambitious projects could involve establishing a community solar energy farm, like at Reach, or a village-wide heat pump network as at Swaffham Prior.
Jethro Gauld, chair of East Cambs CAN, said: “More projects like these would also help East Cambs District Council meet its climate targets set in the wake of the 2019 climate emergency declaration.”
Event organiser Peter Bates added: “Communities should get engaged and work towards finding local solutions to reducing energy costs and help towards mitigating the effects of climate change.
“It is even possible for some renewable energy projects to reduce the cost of electricity locally and get paid for sending it back to the National Grid.
“East Cambs CAN wants to act as a facilitator for encouraging the development of local energy projects and help 'local energy champions' to have access to expertise and other resources.”
Lorna Dupre, chair of Cambridgeshire County Council’s Environment & Green Investment Committee, responsible for the county council’s energy policy, said: "Our ambition is to deliver net zero carbon emissions for Cambridgeshire by 2045, and support communities and our natural environment to adapt and thrive as the climate changes.
“I fully support this initiative from East Cambridgeshire Climate Action Network which aligns with the county council’s recently approved community energy policy.
“The county council has established some key principles to steer its future energy collaborations with local communities, and is now scoping what resources may be available to support communities to bring forward and deliver successful community energy schemes."
Visit https://eastcambscan.org/developing-community-energy-projects-in-east-cambridgeshire-event/
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