It’s great to see so much going on this month on the subject of energy – with the launch of our new monthly prize draw competition for Organic September and Zero Waste Week earlier this month and now it’s Community Energy Fortnight (13th – 28th September 2014)…
Last year was the first ever Community Energy Fortnight which took place right across the UK. Events ranged from a walking tour of mountain hydros in Snowdonia, a visit to Westmill wind farm and solar park, to a free Energy Saving Workshop here in Bridport Dorset and an Open Energy-Saving Homes Day in our neighbouring county of Hampshire.
The aim of the Fortnight is to engage and inspire people about the wide-ranging benefits of community energy – and to encourage groups to set up their own projects too.
Both in the build-up to, and during, the 2013 Community Energy Fortnight, The Community Energy Coalition (CEC) ran a petition in support of community energy. We are thrilled to hear they received nearly 60,000 signatures! They presented the petition to the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, Ed Davey, during the Fortnight.
2014 Events
Here in Dorset for 2014, 18 local residents in Bridport, Lyme and surrounding villages will be opening their homes to the public to share information about how they have made their homes energy efficient, and energy generating between 12th – 14th September as part of an Open Ecohomes weekend.
There is also an Energy Savers Eco Fair in Devon, a Renewable Energy Fair in Somerset, a Poetry Slam in Exeter, and quite a few events including more open eco homes, energy saving workshops and a DIY Solar Panel workshops, in nearby Bristol.
For a full list of 2014 UK events go to: http://ukcec.org/events/community-fortnight-2014
Our Top 5 Dorset Community Energy Projects
It’s probably a good excuse to highlight some great community renewable energy projects we have previously reported on, to hopefully give you some inspiration to start or get involved with a local energy project with your own community group, school or business:
- Community Hydro Energy in Pymore Bridport (Currently only in the Planning Stage)
- Salway Ash Primary School in Bridport Go Green (with Solar PV, Heat Pumps and a Wind Turbine)
- Benjafield Screw Turbine Installation Near Gillingham (Hydro Power Project)
- Blandford Forum Parish Goes Green (with Renewable Heat Systems)
- Bindon Mill Screw Turbine Installation (Hydro Power Project)
Check out our Community Energy category here on our blog for lots more news and views too.