Regional Studies Association
Acquiring Community Assets (Research
network)
The role of social capital in enterprise, energy and
sustainable economic development
Report of the second meeting of the network
The second meeting of the network with a title of Community energy for development:
progress and prospects was held at the Rhondda Heritage Park, South Wales, on the
21st and 22nd March 2013.
The aim of the second workshop was to explore several key themes which had arisen
from the previous workshop held on the island of Gigha in 2012. These themes
included:
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The context and scope for community ownership of energy resources
Opportunities available with respect to specific energy technologies
How communities can be empowered to engage with renewable energy
technologies
The soft and hard outcomes that result from local ownership and/or
management of energy resources and infrastructure
Over the two days of the workshop over twenty delegates were in attendance, the
majority of whom were policy makers and practioners, resulting in twelve presentations
being made.
The workshop was opened by Max Munday who welcomed everyone to the event and
outlined the main themes of the conference. Geoff Whittam highlight the contribution
the Regional Studies Association had made in making the event happen. Geoff further
explained the role and function of the Regional Studies Association and encouraged
those who were not members to join the Association.
The opening presentation was made by Calvin Jones of Cardiff University who outlined
the current situation that the UK finds itself in and arguing that an overreliance on
fossil fuels had created a situation where a change in energy use was essential. This
presentation sparked a lively debate in terms of whether a change in energy source, that
is, a move from fossil to alternative sources such as wind and hydro would be enough or
is it the case that we need to change out life styles to ensure environmental damage is
limited?
This sober assessment by Calvin was followed by a presentation by Richard Cowell
from Cardiff University who highlighted work he had completed with Peter Strachan of
Robert Gordon University. Richard highlighted examples of local alternative energy
schemes based in Scotland and whilst these had been successful they were small scale.
These small scale local schemes go against the grain of the large-scale centralised energy
policy which has become a key feature of the UK system.
This opening session identified issues which were to form the key discussions which
were to recur throughout the workshop. In the tea-break which followed this opening
the delegates went on a tour of the dis-used mine which forms a part of the Heritage
Centre.
The following session was opened by Ken Moon from Interlink RCT who outlined the
general situation in Wales for Community Renewables before highlighting the situation
in the Welsh Valleys. Ken argued that the strategy in the valleys was robust in
comparison to Wales as a whole were he felt no real strategy for supporting community
renewables existed. Ken highlighted some successful local small scale hydro schemes
which can pave the way for best practice. This led us into the next presentation by
Jeremy Thorp from Sharenergy Co-op who provided four practical examples of
community renewable energy cooperatives. The examples consisted of a wind turbine, a
solar energy scheme, a bio-mass development and a wind turbine. Whilst Jeremy was
enthusiastic about these successes he also highlighted some ‘dos’ and ‘don’ts’ for
cooperatives to follow. The final presentation on the first day comprised an informed
talk by Chris Blake from Green Valleys. Chris highlighted that whilst policy makers and
local authorities all spoke of their support for alternative energy schemes and whilst
there are supportive policies out there many barriers need to be overcome.
After a discussion over many of the issues raised on the first day the delegates enjoyed
an evening meal in the Heritage Park Hotel.
The first session on the second day was opened by Jelte Harnmeijer from SCENE.
SCENE Connect is the UKs largest community based energy platform and provides a
forum whereby community energy groups can learn from one another about successes
and barriers they are faced with or which they have had to overcome whilst establishing
a community energy scheme. SCENE is going from strength to strength and is now
working with community groups internationally, many of the contacts being established
through this RSA Network. The final paper in this session was presented by David
Pickernell from the University of Glamorgan. David focused on the limited development
of alternative energy schemes in Australia. Whilst there were one or two pockets of
isolated developments within Australia with very little State support and huge resources
of fossil fuels there appeared to be little support for alternative energy systems ‘anytime
soon’ within Australia.
The final session of the workshop was a presentation by George Callaghan of the Open
University and Geoff Whittam of the University of the West of Scotland. The joint
presenters highlighted the huge potential of wind power off the coast of Scotland which
has an estimated 25% of Europe’s off-shore wind power. They put the case that what
was required was policy to ensure that community involvement in this development is
essential if income generated from off-shore wind power was to remain within the
locality. These incomes could provide an income stream for sustainable economic
development. The final paper was delivered by Ashton Whitcombe from St Andrews
University and part-time worker with SCENE. Ashton was putting the case for
changing behaviour for energy consumption. An improtu presentation was provided by
Pete West from Dorset County Council who provided practical examples of community
energy initiatives that he was involved with.
The conclusion to the workshop was provided by Max Munday and Geoff Whittam.
Max thanked everyone for attending and he thanked specifically his colleagues Calvin
Jones and Jane Bryan for helping to organise the workshop. A discussion then ensued
regarding the future of the network. Geoff Whittam and George Callaghan agreed to
explore the possibility of hosting the final event in Denmark. Delegates were also asked
to identify sources for future dissemination of outputs from the network.
Delegates to the Second Acquiring Community Assets Workshop