The BEIS Local Energy Team was established to support LEPs and Local Authorities in England to play a leading role in delivering low-carbon economic growth. Our Local Energy Programme has been designed to support the capacity and capability of LEPs and other local organisations. Many LEPs and Local Authorities have already committed to their own ambitious energy and carbon targets, however progress in delivering local energy investment varies significantly across the country. As part of the Local Energy Programme, funding has been offered to all LEPs in England to develop an energy strategy for their local area. The Local Energy Team has also funded a range of projects to develop good practice tools and resources, including a carbon monitoring and reporting tool, a cost benefit analysis methodology for energy projects, and health and fuel poverty good practice resources. With the recent announcement from central government for the UK to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050 the Local Energy Hubs are perfectly placed to support sustainable change in their local areas backed by the BEIS funding.
The term ‘local energy’ refers to all energy projects that are led by local organisations (public, private, third sector) for local benefit. All aspects of collective action to reduce, purchase, manage and generate energy are included within ‘local energy. Local action is important to deliver the emissions reductions committed to under the Climate Change Act. Residents, communities, businesses and the public sector will make many of the changes needed to transform our energy system locally. Local Authorities and Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) with the support of the Energy Hubs are able to play a vital role in coordinating, facilitating and delivering the transformation of our energy system.
Each Hub has a small team of energy project managers led by a regional coordinator, with access to technical, legal and financial expertise, in some cases via call-off contracts with consultants. These teams will provide practical support and expertise to LEPs and Local Authorities to help them undertake the initial stages of development for priority energy projects, up to the point where they are able to secure finance. The approach to creating the Hubs, including the geography for each region and the host authority, was agreed in consultation with all LEPs across England.
As part of the Local Energy Programme, £1.6 million was allocated in 2017 to support all LEPs across England to develop an energy strategy for the local area. As a fundamental element of communities, energy features in all of our daily lives and underpins much of our economy. Following on from the Energy Strategies and with the support of the Energy Hubs local organisations are looking to boost renewable generation, improve energy security, reduce energy bills and support community economies by seizing opportunities to get involved with their energy supply. They have provided an alternative to the big utility companies and provided the opportunity for local businesses, organizations and people to control their energy usage.
localenergy@beis.gov.uk
Contact for Hub: team@localenergynw.org
Contact for Hub: Alan.Millar@teesvalley-ca.gov.uk
Contact for Hub: info@energyhub.org.uk
Contact for Hub: michael.gallagher@nottinghamcity.gov.uk
Contact for Hub: swenergyhub@westofengland-ca.gov.uk
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