Community and co-operatively owned energy schemes get a raw deal from government at the moment. While smaller projects can benefit from feed-in tariffs, larger projects (over 5MW – that’s two or three large wind turbines) have to compete in the energy market – a market that’s designed for big commercial companies, predominantly the Big Six. The reforms the government is introducing is likely to make things worse, not better, for community energy, as this independent analysis from Cornwall energy explains.

So it was great to see MPs from both sides of the House point this out in Parliament yesterday, during the second reading of the Energy Bill. Here’s a quick extract from Hansard showing who spoke out in favour of community and co-operative energy.

As the Bill passes through Parliament next year, I hope that MPs can make sure that it brings about the ‘Community Energy Revolution’ that we’ve been promised.