Neston Community Energy Secures GB Energy Community Fund Support for Local Renewable Energy Feasibility Studies
Neston, Cheshire — Neston Community Energy, a Community Benefit Society*, has been awarded funding from the GB Energy Community Fund to undertake two important feasibility studies aimed at accelerating locally owned renewable energy and reducing energy costs for residents in and around the CH64 area.
The funding will support early-stage investigation and resident engagement and involvement into local renewable generation and the creation of a community-based energy club, both designed to reduce electricity costs, and ensure that the economic benefits of energy generation remain within the community.
Exploring Rural and Rooftop Renewable Energy
The first feasibility study will focus on the potential for solar and/or wind installations on agricultural land and farm buildings in the Neston area, subject to planning permission.
The project will explore opportunities to install renewable energy schemes on suitable farm buildings while allowing the land to remain in productive agricultural use. As part of the concept, the project will also examine the potential to provide electric vehicle charging infrastructure connected to the renewable installation.
If the project proves viable, capital costs are expected to be funded through a community share offer, enabling residents and supporters to invest directly in locally owned renewable energy. Given the possible scale of the project, the study will also consider using the Ethex investment platform to allow ethical investors from outside the immediate area to participate.
Community ownership would be secured through the project being established by the Community Benefit Society (CBS). This structure would allow local residents to become members and have a direct say in how profits generated by the scheme are reinvested for the benefit of the community.
Assessing a Local Energy Club for CH64
The second feasibility study will investigate the creation of a local energy club serving Neston and the wider CH64 area.
The aim of the club would be to enable local electricity consumers to purchase power directly from nearby small-scale renewables generators at a price that benefits both the consumer and the generator. By keeping both the generation and consumption of electricity within the local area, the scheme could help reduce energy bills.
The study will identify which consumers could participate based on the electricity substation to which they are connected and will assess likely community interest and participation levels.
It will also outline a practical framework for establishing such a club, including running costs and operational requirements. Depending on the local electricity distribution network structure, there may be potential for multiple local energy clubs to emerge across the area.
Importantly, the study expects that capital costs for establishing and operating the club would be relatively modest, meaning they could potentially be raised within the community or supported through the feasibility work itself.
Strengthening the Local Energy System
Andy Mills the current Chair of Neston Community Energy said:
“Securing this support from the GB Energy Community Fund is an important step in exploring how locally owned renewable energy and innovative energy sharing can benefit the Neston community. These studies will help us understand what is possible and how local people can play a direct role in shaping and owning the future energy system in our area.”
The feasibility studies will take place over the coming months, with findings helping to inform the next stage of development and community engagement.
*A Community Benefit Society is a member-owned organisation that runs a business specifically to benefit a community rather than its members.
