Energy Security and Net Zero Committee inquiry into unlocking community energy at scale

Dr Max Lacey-Barnacle, Sussex Energy Group
Dr Marie Claire Brisbois, Sussex Energy Group and Energy Demand Research Centre
Dr Michael Fell, University College London and Energy Demand Research Centre
Carla Douglas González, Sussex Energy Group
Prof Adrian Smith, Sussex Energy Group
Tessa Russell, Sussex Energy Group
Siobhán Stack-Maddox, Sussex Energy Group

These responses to selected questions posed by the Committee draw on research by members of the University of Sussex Energy Group and UKRI-funded Energy Demand Research Centre (EDRC).

1. How could the Local Power Plan to be produced by Great British Energy build upon existing community energy support schemes, such as the Community Energy Fund?
2. How should the energy market and licensing regulations be reformed to enable community energy projects to sell the electricity that they generate to local customers, without the current barriers, and be properly remunerated for doing so? What lessons can be learnt from other jurisdictions?
3. Should the local benefits of community energy projects be formally recognised as a material consideration in planning decisions?
4. What should be the role of Neighbourhood Plans and Local Area Energy Plans in building local support for community energy projects?