The AURORA Forest of Dean project has supported Forest Community Energy to develop a set of “Priority Asks” for Forest of Dean District Council. The purpose of this activity is to support the council to create an enabling environment for community energy projects to thrive in the Forest of Dean, creating a legacy for the energy community beyond AURORA.
The “Priority Asks” were developed using findings from discussions with Forest Community Energy members, citizen engagement events and stakeholder workshops such as the Rural Climathon, throughout the course of the AURORA project so far.
The document is split into three key priorities, each outlining key opportunities, blockers and challenges and actions in relation to the development and sustainability of energy communities:
- Priority 1: Increase rooftop solar PV projects in the Forest of Dean
- Priority 2: Support households with retrofit and home energy advice
- Priority 3: Support the growth of community energy activities in the Forest of Dean
You can read the full document here:
The document comes at a time of great change in UK-energy policy with the introduction of a new government in July 2024, the development of Labour’s Local Power Plan and the establishment of Great British Energy. The UK is entering a new phase of policy, funding, regulatory and structural changes to the energy system that will unlock the potential for local authorities and communities to work together to restructure the UK’s energy economy, and fast track the transition to a net zero energy system.
At a more local scale, the Forest of Dean District Council is committed to climate action through its Council Plan for the Forest of Dean District Council 2024-2028 – Responding to the Climate & Nature Emergency for a Fairer Greener Forest. It is our intention that following a formal presentation of the “Priority Asks” to the council, they get considered when the council-wide annual Delivery Plan and individual council departments’ operational and annual work plans get developed and reviewed.
