Community energy ‘matchmaking’ service launches

A new ‘matchmaking’ website to help community energy projects find available buildings and land has been launched.

The PowerPaired platform already has more than 100 assets on offer to community energy groups around the country and is appealing for local authorities to register and offer up any suitable buildings they may have as well.

The National Grid is just one of the asset owners already on board, with substations listed as potentially viable sites for hosting community-owned renewables projects.

Other registered asset owners include Oldham Council, Suffolk County Council, Aster Homes and St Mungo’s Charity.

The website has been developed by the non-profit organisation Forum for the Future and supported by the players of People’s Postcode Lottery and Friends Provident Foundation.

It will also signpost users to a range of support tools to assist them, including legal template documents provided by partner Pure Leapfrog and support from agencies such as Community Energy England and regional BEIS funded Energy Hubs.

Pure Leapfrog is also providing information for asset owners about potential structures and models and assisting groups where there is potential for a new business model or specific advice is needed.

‘We’re delighted that such an amazing array of organisations are already on board for the launch of PowerPaired,’ said project lead, Rebecca Lawson.

‘There are currently over 100 assets from across the country on the platform – from offices and industrial estates to schools, churches, libraries and homeless shelters. Successful projects will help communities take control of their energy, save money and tackle the climate crisis – all at the same time.’

The National Grid’s sustainability manager, Nicky Conway added: ‘National Grid believes that community-owned renewable energy is a key part of the puzzle when it comes to empowering consumers to take more control over how their energy is generated and used and reducing carbon emissions.

‘We encourage local community groups to sign up to the PowerPaired platform so we can start to explore new projects together, and asset owners to register their own sites so we can really start seeing more movement in this space.’

Photo Credit – PublicDomainPictures (Pixabay)