Co-op’s £1m for community energy schemes

THE Co-operative Group has set aside £1m to help community-owned renewable energy schemes in the region spark into life.

The Manchester-based mutual hopes the cash, available through the Co-operative Enterprise Hub – will lead to the creation of more community schemes.

The Enterprise Hub, supports the creation and growth of sustainable member-owned enterprises on a number of levels. It provides mentoring, technical advice and also underwrites  community share issues.

Michael Fairclough, head of community and co-operative investment at The Co-operative, said: “The investment is designed to support and encourage co-operatively owned renewable energy projects – providing the tools to create the next generation of sustainable community co-operatives that can control, generate and benefit from their own renewable energy.

“Ambitious community-led projects can contribute to a step-change in people’s thinking about energy and, inspire others to take action – a catalyst for a clean energy revolution across the UK.”