Written by Julian Barlow, Chair of Wiltshire Wildlife Community Energy
Community energy groups are widely celebrated for their role in producing renewable energy, a crucial part of the UK and the world’s journey towards a more sustainable future. However, their contributions extend far beyond generating clean power. Wiltshire Wildlife Community Energy (WWCE) is just one example of how these groups can deliver a range of far-reaching benefits – from managing sites to support the proliferation of nature, to energy advice services for local people struggling with their bills and grants that allow vital community projects to come to fruition.
Energy advice
The recent fall in energy prices will be a case of too little, too late for millions of people across the UK. National Energy Action says that 5.6 million households are already in fuel poverty, with costs predicted to go back up come October when temperatures drop, and energy use typically rises considerably. One of the benefits that some community energy groups like WWCE can provide is free-to-access energy advice, helping local people understand how they can reduce their energy consumption and keep costs down during the difficult winter months.
WWCE’s ‘Keeping Warm This Winter’ initiative has seen its carbon reduction champion lead over 30 pop-up workshops across Wiltshire in its first two years, providing invaluable help and advice to over 700 individuals. This kind of service is particularly important for vulnerable or low-income households, who often face higher energy costs relative to their income. By offering tailored advice and support, WWCE can help reduce fuel poverty in the community, ensuring that more people can benefit from lower energy bills and a reduced carbon footprint.
Vital funding for community projects
Another significant advantage of community energy projects comes from the creation of associated community funds. Profits from renewable energy generation are reinvested back into the community, supporting local projects and initiatives that might otherwise fall by the wayside. WWCE has established an active community fund that has so far allocated over £130,000 to a variety of local causes that align with its values, demonstrating a focus on wildlife conservation, climate change mitigation, reducing carbon emissions, or tackling fuel poverty.
To date, WWCE’s community fund has backed projects for local schools, youth projects, and conservation groups. Grants have enabled the creation of rain gardens, funded the installation of solar panels, supported the provision of new cycleways, and even helped toads cross the road! This reinvestment creates a cycle of benefits, where the success of community energy groups directly contributes to the wellbeing and development of the local communities they operate in.
Nurturing nature and boosting biodiversity
By partnering with the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust (WWT), WWCE has been able to amplify its impact. The Trust brings invaluable expertise in conservation and biodiversity, ensuring that WWCE’s projects are designed and managed with the environment in mind. This allows both organisations to achieve more together than they could independently, promoting sustainable energy production while enhancing local biodiversity.
Through the partnership, WWCE ensures that its renewable energy projects contribute positively to local ecosystems by working closely with WWT’s ecologists, allowing for the integration of wildlife-friendly practices, such as planting wildflower meadows and creating habitats for pollinators and other wildlife around the solar panels. These efforts not only support local biodiversity but also enhance the ecological value of the land. In the long term, the presence of diverse plant species and habitats will help increase resilience against climate change and other environmental challenges.
Sustainable communities
WWCE is just one example of a community energy group delivering benefits far beyond renewable energy production. Through energy advice services, community funds, and thoughtful collaboration with wildlife-friendly organisations, community energy groups can create sustainable, meaningful change.
As we celebrate Community Energy Fortnight, it's important to recognise these wide-ranging contributions. By championing renewable energy and fostering strong community ties, groups like WWCE are paving the way for a more sustainable, equitable, and biodiverse future.
If you’d like to find out more about WWCE and hear how you can become a member by investing in our upcoming share offer, visit our website www.wwce.org