Energy Cooperatives

My Liberal Democrat parliamentary colleagues and I have continually sought to ensure that large energy suppliers work with community schemes to sell the power they generate to local customers at a discounted rate and provide community benefits.  

The previous Conservative Government almost brought the community energy sector to a standstill, and barriers still exist in selling directly to customers, in the cost of connecting to the grid, and in the delays to grid connections. 

We would instead guarantee that community benefit projects receive a fair share of the wealth generated by local renewables infrastructure and would empower local authorities to develop local renewable electricity generation and storage strategies.  

We must work to reduce access costs for grid connection and reform the energy network to permit local energy grids. Our Net Zero Spokesperson, Pippa Heylings MP, tabled an amendment to the GB Energy Bill to strengthen the Bill’s commitment to community-based energy schemes. While the government backed our amendment, Ministers agreed to work constructively on provisions for community energy as the bill progresses in the House of Lords. We will make sure to hold them to their word. 

We are actively working to empower community energy projects while pursuing to meet our net-zero ambitions. If you wish to view Pippa’s speech at the Report Stage of the Bill, it is here.