North East Community Energy Study

North East Community Energy Study

The Centre for Sustainable Energy (CSE) has been appointed, in partnership with VONNE (Voluntary Organisations’ Network North East) and Community Energy England, to carry out in-depth research to understand the structure, mechanisms, models and support that would enable the successful development and delivery of community energy projects in the area covered by the North East Local Enterprise Partnership (North East LEP).

The findings of this report will help inform the approach and actions taken by regional stakeholders, including but not limited to the combined authority, LEP, local authorities and community groups.

Download the report below.

North East Community Energy Study Executive Summary

This report provides in-depth insights into the structure, mechanisms, models and support that would enable the successful development and delivery of community energy projects in the North East Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEP) area.

The reduction in CO2 emissions in the North East from 14MtCO2 in 2005 to 7.5MtCO2 in 2020 has mostly been driven by the decarbonisation of the electricity grid and closure of energy intensive industry. Few of these developments have required significant levels of change and investment at a regional, local and individual level. The Climate Change Committee states that more than half of the emissions cuts needed to reach net zero rely on people and businesses taking up low-carbon solutions. This will require individuals, communities, and businesses to think differently about how they heat their buildings, power their transport and generate their power. Community energy offers a solution to this by putting people at the centre of the journey to net zero.