Peter Dowd MP calls for the UK’s hugely promising community energy sector to deliver locally generated, clean electricity directly to local households and businesses in a recent parliamentary debate.

He said:

“We are here today to push the Government to create an energy market that serves the country.”

Currently customers can only purchase electricity from nationally licensed utilities, meaning the money people use to pay their electricity bills is not remaining in the local economy or helping to support community-owned renewable energy projects.

The debate focused on the Government’s much anticipated Energy Security Strategy, following concern over the security of the UK’s energy supply and a tumultuous period of volatile gas prices and high energy bills.

Peter challenged a letter from the Energy Minister, where he suggested changing the rules around the sale of electricity to local customers would lead to distortions in the energy system:

“One of my concerns is the Government’s approach to community energy companies … The Secretary of State’s letter effectively pooh-poohs the idea of local community enterprises on the grounds that they will distort the market—well, if we do not have a distorted market at the moment, what precisely do we have?”

One initiative to address these concerns, is the Local Electricity Bill - a proposed law spearheaded by Power for People. If made law, it would empower community energy groups to sell their locally generated renewable electricity directly to local households and businesses. This Bill will level the playing field so that groups can run viable energy supply businesses and more local people can choose to power their homes and businesses with locally-generated renewable energy.

The proposed measure now has the support of 306 MPs - nearly a majority of the House of Commons.

Power for People’s Director, Steve Shaw, said,

“We thank Peter Dowd for championing community energy at this Parliamentary debate on energy security. Local renewable energy must bring community benefit. This approach would increase energy system security and prioritise the wellbeing of local communities simultaneously. Mr Dowd’s ongoing efforts to call for the Government to enable this are very welcome.”