New report highlights growth of communities taking renewable energy into their own hands

A new report from Co-operatives UK and The Co-operative Group today reveals the growing numbers of people who are choosing to start renewable energy schemes in their communities, against all the odds.

Co-operative renewable energy in the UK is the first and most comprehensive guide to a new movement of communities who are taking action for greener energy into their own hands by investing money and together installing solar panels, large wind turbines or hydro-electric power.

The comprehensive report shows that:

• There are 43 communities who are in the process of or already producing renewable energy;
• Together local residents have invested £16 million in these schemes, ranging from over £2 million in a windfarm in Oxfordshire through to much smaller sums to install solar panels;
• Green economy co-operatives are the fastest growing part of the UK co-operative sector, having grown by 24% since 2008.

More negatively, the report also highlights barriers facing communities wanting to create green energy for their community: shifting government legislation, planning hurdles and bureaucracy that makes it hard for local schemes to establish themselves.

River Bain Hydro, for example, has successfully set up a hydro electric scheme in North Yorkshire, despite spending a large proportion of its limited time negotiating with power companies because of a lack of co-ordination. As they explain:  "Between the power house and the grid, a distance of a hundred yards, we ended up with five different organisations involved in delivery."

Ed Mayo, Secretary General of Co-operatives UK, said: "We're delighted to see this report. It's the first time anyone has captured what people across the UK are doing – working together, investing money and creating their own renewable energy.

"There's a lot stacked against communities on this – changing legislation, red tape, not to mention hard economic times – yet people show a commitment to green energy and we are seeing a new movement of people doing it themselves."

Paul Monaghan, Head of Social Goals at The Co-operative Group, said: "The potential for a community-led clean energy revolution in the UK is enormous. Countries like Germany and Denmark have shown us the way.

"With The Co-operative Bank's commitment to invest £1 billion in renewable energy by 2013, and our broader support for co-operative enterprise, we are ready to help realise the significant benefits that community energy can deliver for society and communities."

To find out more about the report, visit www.uk.coop/renewable