Community Energy Wales has welcomed a new report on renewable energy by the National Infrastructure Commission for Wales. The report, published recently, highlights the importance of the community energy sector as we decarbonise our energy system.
Speaking at the launch of the report, Ben Ferguson and Leanne Wood, Co-chief Executives at Community Energy Wales said:
“The potential of community energy to help the government reach their net zero targets, reduce fuel poverty, improve energy security, and to bolster Wales’ economy can not be overstated
We welcome the emphasis in the report on keeping the benefit and value from the energy transition in Wales.”
The report highlights many of the barriers that the community energy sector faces – a cohesive policy field, as well as grid backlog and costs. Another important barrier is local trading.
The ability for communities to trade locally would bring stability to the energy market – a generator could agree a price with local users for a period of decades, meaning that the generator can have a long-term business plan, and local people are isolated from energy price shocks.
Leanne Wood and Ben Ferguson said:
“We welcome this report as a first step – but are aware that the recommendations could go further in some areas – on shared ownership for example. Setting a 10% statutory level could mean a race to the bottom from private developers. The community energy sector could be more ambitious, asking for ownership over different elements of projects, or more of an ownership stake.
Wales has a history of having big changes to our society imposed on us. The next big change to our society – decarbonisation – doesn't need to be the same. It can be an opportunity for the people of Wales to revitalise our communities, economy and the environment.
Perhaps most importantly, the report shows explicit evidence for support of energy projects if the benefit from them are seen locally. Welsh communities must lead the change to net zero, and community energy is the way to ensure that.”
