Copied below is a summary and link to a recent report on Co-operative renewable energy.

[Emily]

A new report from Co-operatives UK and The Co-operative Group today
reveals the growing numbers of people who are choosing to start
renewable energy schemes in their communities, against all the odds.

Co-operative renewable energy in the UK is the first and most
comprehensive guide to a new movement of communities who are taking
action for greener energy into their own hands by investing money and
together installing solar panels, large wind turbines or hydro-
electric power.

The comprehensive report shows that:

* There are 43 communities who are in the process of or already
producing renewable energy;
* Together local residents have invested £16 million in these
schemes, ranging from over £2 million in a windfarm in Oxfordshire
through to much smaller sums to install solar panels;
* Green economy co-operatives are the fastest growing part of the
UK co-operative sector, having grown by 24% since 2008.

More negatively, the report also highlights barriers facing
communities wanting to create green energy for their community:
shifting government legislation, planning hurdles and bureaucracy that
makes it hard for local schemes to establish themselves.

River Bain Hydro, for example, has successfully set up a hydro
electric scheme in North Yorkshire, despite spending a large
proportion of its limited time negotiating with power companies
because of a lack of co-ordination. As they explain: "Between the
power house and the grid, a distance of a hundred yards, we ended up
with five different organisations involved in delivery."

Ed Mayo, Secretary General of Co-operatives UK, said: "We're delighted
to see this report. It's the first time anyone has captured what
people across the UK are doing – working together, investing money and
creating their own renewable energy.

"There's a lot stacked against communities on this – changing
legislation, red tape, not to mention hard economic times – yet people
show a commitment to green energy and we are seeing a new movement of
people doing it themselves."

Paul Monaghan, Head of Social Goals at The Co-operative Group, said:
"The potential for a community-led clean energy revolution in the UK
is enormous. Countries like Germany and Denmark have shown us the way.

"With The Co-operative Bank's commitment to invest £1 billion in
renewable energy by 2013, and our broader support for co-operative
enterprise, we are ready to help realise the significant benefits that
community energy can deliver for society and communities."

To find out more about the report, visit www.uk.coop/renewable