Community Energy Workshop, Dalwood
 The Community Energy workshop on 22nd September brought 34 people together to explore what community energy means in practice, how local initiatives can be developed and the benefits they can bring. Discussions focused on identifying local energy challenges, agreeing shared aims and priorities, and learning from successful community energy projects elsewhere. Fuad from Action on Climate (ACT) Teignbridge (partners in the Lottery Funded Together for Tomorrow Project), joined as an expert speaker and stressed the importance of reducing energy consumption/usage. Thanks to The Corry Valley Community Land Trust for hosting and organising refreshments.
Participants considered the practical steps involved in setting up an initiative, including finding committed volunteers, choosing an appropriate organisational structure, establishing governance and identifying funding opportunities. The importance of starting small, working collaboratively, learning from existing groups and supporting volunteers was also emphasised. Local farmers/horticulture/landowners also joined to discuss how they might contribute excess energy to local Parish households, frustratingly the current infrastructure is not set up to support this in East Devon. The session highlighted a range of organisations offering advice, experience and support, including Community Energy England, Devon Community Energy Network, Exeter Community Energy, Teign Energy Communities and Action on Climate in Teignbridge (ACT).
The workshop highlighted a range of funding, grants and practical support available for household energy improvements, including the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, Warm Homes Plan, ECO4, Warm Homes: Local Grant and Lendology’s affordable green loans. Participants were signposted to local renewable energy installers, retrofit advice and resources such as the Devon Retrofit Guide and ECOE retrofit surveys. Opportunities for solar panels, battery storage and payments for surplus electricity through the Smart Export Guarantee were also discussed.
For community groups and parish organisations, support is available through Devon County Council and the Devon Community Energy Network to develop renewable energy projects, particularly solar installations on community buildings. Inspiring examples from Wales and Walthamstow demonstrated how community-owned renewable energy can reduce carbon emissions and energy costs, tackle fuel poverty and generate lasting benefits for local communities.
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The overall message was that communities do not need to start from scratch or establish a formal organisation straight away. By building local interest, sharing skills and working together, they can take practical steps towards more sustainable, affordable and locally supported energy solutions.
