Community energy event ignites local interest

Patch in Twickenham was alive with community energy on Thursday 24 July as residents packed the room to hear about the new Richmond Community Energy Cooperative.

Community energy groups develop local renewable energy and energy-saving projects. By generating clean energy locally, communities can reduce reliance on the national grid, lower energy costs for schools and community centres, and create new sources of income that stay in the borough.

The informational session kicked off a series of four events designed to illustrate the benefits of community energy as well as the practicalities of setting up a non-profit cooperative in Richmond. Helping schools and community groups save on energy bills through solar was a hot topic.

Syed Ahmed, Chair of Community Energy London, led the discussion with the event hosted by Councillor Julia Neden-Watts, Chair of the Environment, Sustainability, Culture and Sports Services Committee at Richmond Council.

Community energy cooperatives in other London boroughs presented at the event about their completed installations and how they donated thousands back to their local communities. Alan Jones from the SE24 Energy group spoke about how their cooperative was formed from a group of keen cyclists, and how it has expanded to include large-scale solar projects and LED installations. Mark Thomlinson from North Kensington Community Energy discussed how their projects additionally benefited the local people through substantial donations to non-profit and community groups.

Funding for community energy projects usually comes through a combination of community investment, grants and public funding, and income from selling clean energy. Any surplus generated is reinvested into local projects or non-profit organisations, rather than maximising private profit.

There will be three more sessions to encourage people to get involved in the new Richmond Community Energy Cooperative.

Register for the next 'lunch and learn' event taking place on Thursday 27 August from 12 to 1pm. 

Learn more about Richmond’s new community energy initiative and plans for a ‘Richmond Community Energy Accelerator Fund’ funding stream for feasibility studies from Spring 2027.