Whilst PCP has been publicly quiet recently, behind the scenes our Directors have been working to adapt our plans to the altered landscape facing community energy since the raft of policy changes initiated after the last general election. From drastic cuts to the Feed in Tariffs (FiTs), altered tax relief status for community projects, to stricter planning controls, it has not been an easy time for small organisations to make progress, or indeed to survive.
Fortunately we have some experienced Directors who have used their particular expertise to help formulate different funding arrangements for community projects. We hope to make an announcement about two solar projects in the pipeline very soon.
Louise Marix Evans, recently elected Chair of PCP, through her business Quantum Strategy and Technology Ltd, was commissioned to look at how the recent policy changes have impacted upon the community energy sector. Her work also highlighted how much the sector has contributed to the economy through investment, jobs and rural development. 1930_PTC_Infographics_v2_Community_Energy
At the AGM in February our members agreed to donate the £1400 community benefit fund to the Community Foundation for Calderdale’s Flood Relief Fund to support the wider community as it recovers from the serious Boxing Day floods.
Our 10kW turbine is performing well, having generated enough electricity to make 2,530,845 cups of tea so far (93,735kwH since installation), saving 43.3 tonnes of CO2 emissions vs grid sourced electricity!
Pennine Community Power 