Cheltenham joins countywide partnership to explore community renewable energy opportunities

Cheltenham Borough Council has approved joining the Gloucestershire Community Energy Memorandum of Understanding, a countywide partnership that aims to help councils and community energy organisations work together to explore local renewable energy opportunities.

The agreement enhances cooperative efforts between councils and community energy organisations. These community energy initiatives can strengthen local renewable energy efforts, enhance resilience, and retain economic value within communities.

This initiative, led by Climate Leadership Gloucestershire, aims to foster a collaborative framework between Gloucestershire local authorities and community energy organisations. The MoU is designed to enhance partnership efforts in community-led renewable energy generation, strengthen local energy resilience, and advance energy efficiency and decarbonisation projects.

The MoU is non-binding, ensuring that it does not obligate the council to any expenditure, projects, procurement exercises, planning policy changes, or contractual agreements. Future opportunities will be evaluated through separate business cases and approval processes.

The initiative brings a multitude of benefits by fostering enhanced collaboration between councils and community energy organisations. It raises awareness of funding and investment opportunities, paving the way for the exploration of community-led renewable energy schemes.

By utilising public estate assets for local energy generation, the project strengthens local energy resilience and attracts external investment for projects that may otherwise face challenges. Additionally, it provides crucial support for the council’s Climate Emergency Action Plan, ensuring a sustainable and environmentally friendly future.

Cllr Richard Pineger, cabinet member for the climate emergency and CLG Chair said: “Community energy gives us a chance to explore a different approach, where more of the value created by local energy generation can stay in our communities and benefit us as local people.

“By turning suitable local assets into sources of clean energy, we can generate power, strengthen our resilience, and create long-term value for Cheltenham. We can seize this opportunity together, but it will take local people stepping forward and getting involved. The reward is stronger communities, more opportunities for our young people, and the chance to keep more of the benefits created by these assets here in Cheltenham.”

Isobel Filipova, business initiative manager for CheltenhamZero, said: “Community energy presents a real opportunity for businesses and communities alike to play a greater role in shaping their local energy future.

“By joining this countywide partnership, Cheltenham can work alongside community organisations and neighbouring councils to identify opportunities for local renewable energy generation, energy resilience and community benefit.

David Sharman, climate change coordinator for Gloucester City Council, said: “This agreement provides a countywide framework for councils and community energy organisations to work together, share learning and explore the opportunities for locally owned energy projects that may come from the Government’s Local Power Plan.

For press enquiries, contact: communications, telephone 01242 264231, email [email protected].

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Cheltenham joins countywide partnership to explore community renewable energy opportunities

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