Community Energy Mentoring Project Peer Power Workshop 5 September 2015 Petra Morris, Co-operatives UK
*STOP PRESS* Co-operatives UK was presented with the Community Energy Innovation Award for the Energy Peer Mentoring during the Community Energy Conference & Awards http://www.uk.coop/newsr oom/community-energyawards
Overall aim Energy Peer Mentoring is a pilot programme which set the national benchmark in delivering peer-led world class support and training. Delivered by Co-operatives UK and the Community Shares Unit and funded by Esmee Fairbairn Foundation. Supported 30 community renewable energy projects and recruited 20 leading pioneers with diverse skillsets across the community energy field to deliver quality advice and support. Each of the groups received six days of support from a mentor who helped them to navigate the often complex financial, regulatory and organisational hurdles faced by ventures looking to develop community energy projects.
Achievements 100k of consultancy fees and external training saved through peer mentoring 11 mentee groups have already raised 1.4 million via community shares. It is envisaged that this number will rise to 4million over the duration of the initiatives The programme also embedded support from the government-backed Community Shares Unit. Community shares have become an innovative method of funding community renewables, raising 24 million in 2014 The programme exceeded demand, and has a waiting list for the future
Community energy groups
Mentoring organisations (practitioners)
Projects supported by technology type
Projects supported by location
Satisfaction is high
Case study The programme supported some of the most innovative initiatives in community energy, such as Chase Community Solar (supported by GenCommunity) which raised 750,000 to put solar panels on council house roofs. The initiative brought community energy to a new demographic, was the first such project in the UK to partner with a Council, and directly addressed fuel poverty at a very local level. http://communityshares.org.uk/case -studies/chase-community-solar-0
Policy & lessons This work has set a benchmark for peer mentoring and given us the chance to talk to over forty community energy organisations about the continuing challenges they face. These learnings have been compiled along with clear policy recommendations in our Lessons for Government report in partnership with Community Energy England.
Financing community energy
EM and Community Shares The Standard Mark A voluntary scheme, supported by the FCA and Money Advice Service. The Standard Mark is awarded to the community share offer in recognition that the society is complying with good practice. The Standard Mark can be awarded by practitioners, who are licensed by CSU. Licensed practitioners are subject to the complaints service, and can ultimately be de-licensed by the CSU. Good practice is embodied in the Community Shares Handbook. CSU maintains a public enquiry and complaints service, with the ultimate sanction of removing the Standard Mark from a share offer. The assessment includes the review of the: - offer document - application form - governing document - business plan
Community energy and community shares CSU now funded by DECC to promote the use of community shares within the community energy sector. It is recognised that more bespoke guidance is needed for the sector, recognising that: The community energy sector has grown to become a dominant part of community shares activity The underlying differences in the business model of most community energy societies from other sectors of activity using community shares The growing divergence in practice between the community energy sector and other sectors of activity using community shares Business models Community benefit Interest rate policies Shared ownership Governance and participation Liquidity of share capital
Community energy and community shares Establish a Working Group from the sector to oversee a consultation process Capture views of the sector on a range of guidance matters Working Group review consultation responses and determine how this is applied to existing and new guidance Technical Committee review and approves revisions to existing guidance and new guidance
For more information contact energy.mentoring@uk.coop www.energymentoring.org.uk Twitter @energymentor www.communityshares.org.uk Twitter @comshares