Contrasting fortunes – from wind co-operatives to solar bencoms to the future Contrasting fortunes – from wind co-operatives to solar bencoms to the future.

Contrasting fortunes – from wind co-operatives to solar bencoms to

the future

Mike Smyth – Chair, Energy4All

Winner of a 2012 Ashden Award.

Baywind – Harlock Hill

Energy4All – a co-operative of energy co-ops, co-operating to deliver a shared

mission

To help the UK’s transition to a low carbon economy

To engage ordinary people in the active operation and ownership of renewable energy

Mission shared with Energy4All co-ops and delivered through Energy4All – by co-ops co-operating

Millenium

Ben Aketil Boyndie

Kilbraur

Energy4All trading co-ops – 2015

Baywind

Fenland

Westmill

Findhorn

Fully community owned

Share in developer sites

Drumlin

SOL

Springbok

Energy ProspectsHigh Winds

Four Winds

West SolentSchools

E4A Staff and office

E4A OfficeAmer Janjua and Jack Heslop at the Baywind Haverigg turbine

Energy4All co-ops co-operate through Energy4All

Shared development of new projects – “co-op get co-op” Development team financed by fundraising charges and

surplus made on administration Shared construction, project management, operations,

accounts and administration service Fundraising (equity and debt) Representation and campaigning RESCoop membership (European co-operation)

Energy4All – 2014/5

6 new co-ops joined the Energy4All family£15 million raised in share capital3,200 new members

Drumlin

West Solent Solar Co-op

© Solar Century

The constantly changing regulatory landscape

Baywind – NFFO; Westmill – ROCs; Four Winds – FITs; Drumlin – multiple NI ROCs

PPAs and electricity regulation FITs and constant change (remember 2011!) Planning FCA changes: Co-ops to Bencoms and possibly back again Annual EIS changes Technological and social change

Westmill solar and wind

Springbok

Wey Valley Solar - LED Lighting

Priority response to FIT and ROCs changes

Build pre-accredited sites Pre-register whatever we can (roof-top solar) Build sites within FIT and ROC deadlines Northern Ireland

Community groups should co-operate Special care on suppliers on-going trading

Energy4All projects still in development

2 wind projects6 solar projects2 hydro projects

Community energy after delivery of the pipeline

Shared ownership and CFDs Heat and energy efficiency (eg lighting); energy advice No subsidy generation - high on site usage, cheap

construction and high generation Storage and retailing electricity Co-op development, using their strong balance sheet and

supportive funding Innovate It will come back

Government incentives remain – and may be extended

SITR/EIS relief Pre-accreditation may remain or be reinstated EPC waiver on non residential premises Limited planning benefits Shared Ownership extended FIT band (5mW+5mW) Shared ownership protocol with statutory backing Special FIT mooted

Campaigning and active participation – climate change is a political choice

Schoenau – an inspiration

Energy4All