Renewable Energy: Finance

(asked on 22nd April 2021) - View Source

Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what cost benefit assessment his Department has made on the potential merits of increasing support to community energy projects to (a) engage the public in the net zero transition and (b) deliver social and community benefits.


Answered by
Anne-Marie Trevelyan Portrait
Anne-Marie Trevelyan
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
This question was answered on 29th April 2021

The Government recognises the valuable role that community and locally owned renewable energy projects can play in reaching our net zero targets. Community energy groups can act as catalysts for raising awareness and promoting behaviour change, both of which are vital if we are to achieve our 2050 goals.

BEIS is funding the Rural Community Energy Fund (RCEF) a £10 million programme, delivered through the 5 Local Energy Hubs in England in the North East (Yorkshire & Humber), the North West, the Midlands, Greater South East, and the South West.

This scheme supports rural communities in England to develop renewable energy projects, explicitly to provide economic and social benefits back to the community. Over 90 communities have received support so far.

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