Bedfordshire Community Energy Showcase

Whether you're a resident, business owner, community or voluntary group member, school sustainability lead, Councillor or Council Officer, there's opportunity for you to get involved in Community Energy to help people and organisations save energy and money.

Agenda:

Time: 3.30-7pm 

Speaker / Activity

15.30 - Arrival / Networking with local energy and community energy experts

16.05 Ollie Pendered - Executive Chair Community Energy Pathways 

16.05 - Councillor Nicola Gribble - Portfolio Holder for Environment at Bedford Borough Council

Welcome and setting the local scene for the community energy sector

16.10 Sara Earl, Sustainability Manager Central Bedfordshire Council (CBC)

What has Community Energy meant for CBC.

16:20 Accelerating community energy in your LA area: funding for community energy coming down the line through the Local Power Plan and Warm Homes Plan - Amelia Hunt, Project Manager at the Greater South East Net Zero Hub

16.30 Getting community investment for your community energy projects - Ben Sharpe, Senior Investment Manager at Ethex

16:40 - Local Community Energy Groups - Greensand, River Ivel, Buzz and Luton Community Energy.

Who we are, what we have achieved, our pipeline of projects and how you can get involved?

17:00 17:15 BREAK - Tea, coffee, biscuits

17:20 – 18.05 Workshops

Workshop 1. Local Authority and Community Energy Collaboration: getting ready to deliver Schools Solar - what's the process that needs to be followed and how can School Leaders and Council Officers facilitate community energy groups to deliver community-owned solar on schools? What are the perceived risks and how can they be mitigated?

Workshop 2. THIS WORKSHOP IS NOW FULLY BOOKED  - Unlocking big rooftop solar in Bedfordshire – farms, Council buildings, commercial buildings, warehouses - how do CE groups start the conversation with landlords and tenants and what are the key benefits to talk about to engage them?

18.05 - 18.15 - Closing remarks - Community Energy Pathways

18.15-19:00 Buffet refreshments and networking

This event is funded by the Greater South East Net Zero Hub as part of their Local Authority Community Energy Springboard project.