Tag: community energy

Community Renewable Energy – the next steps

Following the community renewable energy feasibility study that took place earlier this year, I have further good news to share. Llanrhian Community Council have been successful in securing a further grant of nearly £12,000 from CWMPAS to explore the possibility of establishing a community renewable energy enterprise. This grant will help establish a community-based company, owned and driven by local residents and experts, meaning that we will be able to have a strong influence over renewable energy developments in the area, and ensure that any financial benefits can be re-invested into the community. This may also lead to the creation of work opportunities for local people.

Are you interested in getting involved?

The success of this initiative will depend on local people getting involved, and there’s a number of ways you could do this:

You could join an interim project management group. We’re looking for anybody with an interest in renewable energy project to join that group. You might have expertise in specific areas, such as renewable energy, planning, legal, finance, project management, setting up businesses, web development, communications, organising events, or you might own land!

Alternatively, you might be committed to exploring ways of harnessing renewable energy sources or simply have an interest in what is going on. Whatever your skills or interests, we would welcome your input and support.  We are planning on organising an on-line meeting soon so please get in touch to register your interest.

What else do we have planned?

We will also be engaging with the residents of the Llanrhian Community Council area to ask for their views and gain support for the future direction of the project. If that support is there, we will then set up a Community Renewable Energy Company.

We’d also like suggestions for a name for the potential Community Renewable Energy Company, so if you have an idea, please get in touch.  Ideally, the name will have a strong Welsh flavour, have relevance for the region, but not include the name of one our villages.

All being well, our intention is to set up a formal company by January/February next year, along with with a governance structure and policies.  We will need to appoint Board members for the company and so if you are interested in becoming a Board member, or you know of someone who might be suitable, please get in touch.   

More information on the project can be downloaded below, including:

  • Background on Stage 2 of the Renewable Energy Project (previously operating under “Egni Trefin”)
  • A summary of the Cwm Arian Feasibility Study Report
  • The full 90+ page Cwm Arian Feasibility Study report, in both English and Welsh
summary-of-feasibility-study-egni-trefin-energy-2Download

draft-plan-for-stage-2-of-the-renewable-energy-projectDownload

care-egni-trefin-feasibility-final-reportDownload

care-adroddiad-dichonoldeb-egni-trefinDownload

Please do get in touch with either myself or the Connected Community team at croeso@connectitycommunity.wales if you are interested in joining the project team, being a board member, have an idea for a name for the company, or have any other comments.

Community Renewable Energy

Those who came to the recent event at Ysgol Croesgoch will know that a small group of residents have been exploring the possibilities of a community energy scheme. Managed by Llanrhian Community Council and supported by Gwelliant Trefin Improvement, the three-month project, funded by a grant of £10,600 from Cwmpas has completed a feasibility study into launching a community-led renewable energy project. Initially concentrating on Trefin, the objective was to explore ways of harnessing local energy sources aiming in the longer term, to reduce energy bills, create a community benefit fund, contribute to energy security and to reduce carbon emissions, preferably through a locally-led enterprise. 

A community engagement event discussing renewable energy options

 
A tender exercise was undertaken inviting other community energy groups or consultancies with relevant experience to bid for parts, or all aspects, of the feasibility study work. Cwm Arian Renewable Energy Ltd (CARE), as an established community renewable energy organisation, were awarded the tender in April, and completed the work by the end of June 2023. The comprehensive feasibility report outlines the renewable energy project possibilities given the areas resources, and which of these the community may be most supportive of. It also gives us a platform for future opportunities for community energy schemes across the wider Llanrhian ward. You can read a copy of the report here:

care-egni-trefin-feasibility-report-reva2-10072023Download