Since 2021, AURORA has supported Forest Community Energy (FCE) to get out into the community and deliver meaningful events, workshops, and training, as well as provided secretarial support. However, with AURORA funding soon coming to an end, we are looking ahead with hope for a self-sustaining energy community.
Ahead of Christmas 2024, we asked members to complete a survey so we could better understand their interests, skills, and capacity. The findings were shared and built on in the first of a two-part workshop hosted by Holding the Space, where FCE were facilitated to:
- Build a shared understanding of FCE core/wider membership’s areas of interest.
- Look at the current local energy landscape.
- Collectively identify options for action/direction of FCE going forward.
FCE’s mission
As form must follow function, AURORA saw it important to establish what the group saw as FCE’s main mission, before determining how/if they become incorporated.
Some common themes emerged from the session and survey. FCE members would like to prioritise:
- Energy generation projects with a focus on locally generated and owned energy, and on community buildings
- Organising, forming a network and engaging the community through signposting opportunities and raising awareness.
- Supporting individuals to reduce their energy consumption through retrofit, thermal imaging and education.
Low hanging fruit
To acknowledge the limited capacity of the group, the importance of utilising paid staff support wherever possible was raised. This could look like continued administrative support, or collaborating with other local groups such as Forest of Dean Climate Action Partnership (FoDCAP). If FCE choose to work with FoDCAP, there will be an opportunity to get involved in incoming Future Energy Landscapes workshops. This is a community consultation tool used to drum up local support for wind turbines and/or ground mounted solar projects.
Where energy generation projects are concerned, drawing on Gwent Energy CIC or Gloucestershire Community Energy Co-op’s expertise, and finding an engaged community hub suitable for an installation, such as The Sling & District Recreation Club for members to rally behind could be an ideal first step. Alternatively, members could progress installations on sites previously identified by Big Solar Co-op volunteers.
Using resources and sharing stories
The group also learnt more about available resources and support, including the Energy Learning Network programme and mentoring opportunity, for which an FCE member has applied. Taking learnings from other initiatives, such as Lockleaze Loves Solar, and incorporating guidance from the soon-to-be-published Solar PV in the Forest of Dean guide by FoDCAP will also be important. Additionally, FCE recognize their role in connecting people to opportunities, including local schools with Solar for Schools grants. Through this, FCE hope to generate and share more success stories, and add to the 18 Forest of Dean community buildings that have received decarbonisation support through REPF, as well as the Lydney installations from the AURORA project.
FCE and the current climate
What became clear from this session, was whatever form the group takes, FCE will become increasingly important to ensure local voices are heard. Particularly as local councils across the UK experience ‘devolution’, and GB Energy begins to take shape.
The second session will focus on the practicalities of how FCE might operate. Watch this space!
