Local power for local people

Excellent news today as the restrictions preventing local authorities from exporting electricity have been lifted by the Secretary of State. This means that councils across the UK can now sell on the excess energy they produce from small-scale renewables projects.

This is a vital step towards expanding the use of renewable energy in the UK. Councils will now receive funds via the Feed In Tariff for exporting electricity produced from renewable energy sources, which will hopefully encourage local government to generate more of its own clean power.

Some councils are already taking a lead in the matter – Chris Huhne announced the lifting of the restrictions before a visit to a series of pioneering projects in Woking, including a ground-breaking solar energy project. There are examples of this across the UK – from the wind turbine that powers Islington’s Ecology Centre, to the solar panels on the roof of Ouseburn Farm in Newcastle.

If we are to meet our renewable energy targets, it’s going to require sustained action from everyone – not just central government. Local councils have an important role in promoting renewable energy projects – and not only dealing with planning applications for wind farms!

You can use the pink button on your MyPlanet profile to write to the leader of the council – it alternates between your MP and your local council leader, so just refresh the page until it comes up.