UK energy sector goes co-operative

Co-operative sector announces 24% rise in member owned energy enterprises.

It seems the UK population may already be taking energy into their own hands with a 24% rise in the number of 'member owned' energy co-operative enterprises in the last four years.

Co-operative sector announces 24% rise in member owned energy enterprises.

It seems the UK population may already be taking energy into their own hands with the announcement today of a 24% rise in the number of 'member owned' energy co-operative enterprises in the last four years.

The new figures from Co-operatives UK, the trade body for co-operative enterprises, show that member owned energy organisations is the fastest growth area for co-operative businesses in the UK. The data is released with a comprehensive Co-operatives UK research report on the sector, The Co-operative Green Economy by Pat Conaty.

Ed Mayo, General Secretary of Co-operatives UK states:

"Co-operative energy businesses are owned by members and run for members. The co-operative model is a perfect antidote to current energy practices – co-operatives put their members in control of where profits go whether that is back to members, back to the community or to invest in viable green energy projects."

"The big six energy companies are still the giants in the market, but grassroots co-operatives are now organising under their feet."

Co-operative Energy is one such business that is owned by its customers, provided an alternative to the big six energy companies

Nigel Mason, Co-operative Energy comments.

"Co-operatives empower people and result in tangible improvements to people's lives and energy is one example of where joint action makes more sense than isolation. Consumers are coming together as co-operatives to tackle energy sourcing, and supplies as they seek have share and control. We started Co-operative Energy to challenge the major energy suppliers to treat consumers fairly, bringing co-operative values to a mistrusted sector."

Sheffield Renewables is a co-operative which develops, funds, builds, owns and operates renewable energy schemes, it is run by local people, for local peoples. It is one example of a new and growing form of energy co-operative, which is raising investment from the local community to generate energy from hydro-electric power.

Mark Wells, member and Development Manager, comments "The work we do and the co-operative approach to energy is one which allows communities to work together to develop and own local renewable energy schemes. This is empowering and at the same time keeps people in touch with the climate change debate and their effect on the environment. In our case, profits will help support development of further local renewable energy supplies"

For more information on co-operative energy and environmental enterprises go to www.uk.coop/energy. For information on Sheffield Renewables go to sheffieldrenewables.org.uk