After a successful Community Energy Fortnight (CEF) in 2016, it has been announced that 2017 will mark another year of collaboration between Community Energy England and Forum for The Future on behalf of the Community Energy Coalition to deliver Community Energy Fortnight 2017.
2016 is likely to be the hottest year on record, so with climate deals being ratified and a renewed need for cooperation in the air, the partners will also be linking to The Climate Coalition (TCC) in 2017. The Co-operative Energy are again showing their support for community energy, and the critical issue of carbon reduction by generously sponsoring the Fortnight.
CEF17 is starting earlier than previous years to allow more events to take place in the summer. The Fortnight will run from Saturday 24th June - 9th July, with the Week of Community Action taking place in the second week, from 1st - 9th July.
Community Energy Fortnight are now looking for groups who would like to organise an event that demonstrates what they are doing and the benefits their projects produce. If you are interested in running an event as part of the fortnight, between 24th June – 9th July, they would love to hear from you. Please contact communityenergyfortnight@gmail.com.
Ramsay Dunning, Managing Director of Co-operative Energy, said: "Community energy projects have a unique ability to drive change and empower citizens, which is why we are so keen to support the Fortnight for a fourth year. Since we were formed, we have striven to support local, renewable energy generation - and now have some 25 power purchase agreements across the UK, encompassing wind, solar and hydro.
“Moreover, we are working hard with other communities to explore the options for load shifting, energy efficiency and demand management. The UK electricity system is on the cusp of change, the scale of which we haven’t seen since the roll out of electricity grids across the country many decades ago. The age of exclusive control by big energy companies and central government is over; the future will see communities and coops increasingly play an active role in managing their energy needs.”
Emma Bridge, Community Energy England, explained: “Community Energy Fortnight is one of our favourite times of the year as it highlights and reminds us what can be achieved when communities come together and invest in their future. Groups from across the country will be demonstrating their achievements, which go far beyond the generation of clean energy. We are excited to join forces with the Climate Coalition’s Week of Action as this will allow us to demonstrate the value of community energy in the wider context of climate change, and bring together groups who share a similar ethos and vision.”
Will Dawson, Head of Energy at Forum for the Future and Chair of the Community Energy Coalition, said: “The 40 members of the Community Energy Coalition are proud to be supporting the fifth Community Energy Fortnight. We believe the Fortnight shows that communities of all kinds across the UK are demanding greater opportunity to take control of their energy to meet their energy needs in cheaper, cleaner ways. This is a critical time, where we need greater support from national and local governments and the public. Communities have responded to recent adversity through creativity, showing how their spirit will overcome whatever is put in their way. We will see even more of this in 2017, and I for one can't wait!”