The group 10:10 “is about doing practical stuff that helps solve climate change” and has a particular interest in community energy. In 2013 the group helped set up a renewable energy co-op in Balcombe, refocusing a “fracking village” around solar power. The Back Balcombe campaign inspired many other projects. Community owned and operated energy systems are an interesting and direct way to link sustainability and democracy.
With the insights learned from the Balcombe project, 10:10’s Esther Barlow has taken a look at the new Conservative government from the perspective of community energy (“The Tories and Community Energy”). The Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) leadership believe in taking action on climate change, although in a somewhat contradictory fashion, they are heavily pursuing fracking and North Sea oil.
10:10 reports that although wind is popular and a cost effective renewable for the UK, the Conservatives want to cut onshore wind. Although tax relief for the energy co-op seems safe for now, energy co-operatives aren’t able to register as co-ops.
