This year our Community Energy Revolution campaign made excellent progress, thanks to the many who helped at key moments. As we look forward to next year, here is what we achieved in 2023:
1. Thousands of you wrote to your MPs…
If you were one of the many who got in touch with their MP, a massive thank you. It kept the momentum up in Parliament and in constituencies
2. …and we helped many of you respond to their emails.
MPs’ emails can be long and highly technical. We helped you respond to and, when necessary, refute their points. This often shifted an MP’s stance, helped bring many new MPs on board and kept supportive MPs engaged.
3. A majority of MPs in the House of Commons now back new community energy enabling measures.
Our collective efforts have led to this impressive milestone. 326 MPs from all major parties now publicly support the Local Electricity Bill: our proposed law that would empower community energy groups to sell their clean power directly to local people.
4. We won two legislative votes in the House of Lords…
On two separate occasions, we beat the Government whip to see our proposals to help community energy projects included in Government legislation. These victories helped secure new supportive measures from Government.
5. …and got community energy to the top of the agenda at several debates in Parliament.
At several debates this year on energy legislation, community energy was the most featured topic. Given the sector’s current size, this is an outstanding achievement and demonstrates the strength of our collective power.
6. We secured a new £10 million fund for community projects across England…
Our collective advocacy for community energy led to the Government introducing the first new fund to help community energy projects in over six years.
7. ….and we got the Government to promise a consultation on removing the barriers blocking community energy sector growth.
This is a new avenue to achieve reforms to help community energy thrive. When the consultation opens, we will be asking everyone to submit responses to ensure that we can make the most of this excellent opportunity. Again, we will be here to help.
8. Government Ministers are responding more favourably.
This year saw a shift in how the Government treats community energy. For many years they have declined to take action to help create growth in local renewable energy generation. Now, community energy is a subject they are ever more questioned and challenged on in Parliament and they have started to act to empower it.
All the above is testament to our determined collective persistence. We can carry this momentum into the new year as we continue the push for reforms to enable community energy to thrive.
Thank you for making this a good year and I wish you a happy and restful festive break.
Rupert Meadows
Campaigner
Find out more at the Power for People website.