What is it?
London Community Energy is a social enterprise established, managed and funded by Colbha Consulting. Its purpose is to promote the development of community energy projects in London, using sustainable energy as a means to promote environmental, social and economic sustainability in London.
Why was it set up?
Colbha Consulting has been working with community-based energy projects since its inception and has seen first hand the very real benefits that community energy projects can have on many levels. There’s the generation of renewable energy, the reduction in carbon emissions, the lower energy costs and the income generation for the local community and investors. In addition, community-based energy project increase social cohesion, create jobs and influence behaviour change, raising awareness of climate change and energy security issues in local communities. With a few notable exceptions, there are surprisingly few community-based energy projects in London. Given all the benefits community-owned energy can bring and London’s strategy to reduce its emissions, this seemed like something that needed to change. London Community Energy is part of that process.
What does it do?
The project aims to educate, inspire and support – making community energy projects a reality in London. This is a process which involves:
- Connecting Londoners with where their energy comes from
- Inspiring more Londoners to take up the community energy challenge
- Providing the guidance community energy projects need so that they go from good idea to reality in the shortest possible time
How does it do it?
London Community Energy works through a number of different routes – web-based guides, events and one-on-one support for developing projects. It is a work in progress. Check back again soon for more details – we’ll keep you updated on forthcoming developments.
A London Leader Project
In 2011, London Community Energy’s founder Mary Walsh was selected as a London Leader by the London Sustainable Development Commission.
The London Leaders programme was set up to catalyse change – the kind of change that is needed to tackle London’s most ingrained problems. It was established to bring together London’s leaders in sustainability, encouraging the development of projects which deliver real change and encourage others to do the same.
