schools & community groups session

Re-energising Camden

Collaborative Investment in Community Energy 

DECC

Community Energy 

Creating Local Energy

Afsheen Kabir RashidCo-founder Director

Content

1. Who we are

2. What we do

3. Our vision

4. Our experience

5. Our services

Who we are

• REPOWERING is a not-for-profit organisation

• Creating local energy:

We specialise in co-producing community-owned renewable energy projects

• Our team: Dedicated employees working collaboratively alongside

enthusiastic volunteers

We have the essential technical, financial, legal and project management expertise needed to ensure successful delivery

Our vision

Before... After...

• To create resilient, empowered communities that control and own the generation and usage of renewable energy.

• To support wide-scale development of community-owned renewable energy projects across London.

To put it another way...

Our Journey

Lambeth is the 5th most deprived area in London and the 25th most deprived in UK.

As a key focal point within Lambeth, Brixton gave us the chance to address some serious problems.

Goals: To allow people to invest in themselves & their

community

To allow people to gain financially through socially responsible investment

To promote energy efficiency through education, home energy audits, etc

To provide apprenticeships and work experience for local people

…it’s all about wellbeing!

8

How it Works?

Asking what people want.

Who?• Needs /priorities• Shared values• Social networks

How? • Door knocking• Community leaders• Ongoing events and

meetings• Open meetings

Why?• Inclusive• Making it relevant

Consultation

Participation

• Set clear objectives• Agree rules of

engagement• Be positive• Be respectful• Take responsibility• Talk to people• Listen to people• Agree by consensus

Engagement

Training and work experience

Empowerment

• Research by Camco & Baker Tilly estimates the potential for over 3.5 GW of community-owned renewables in England, Scotland & Wales.

• There is enormous potential for the installation of community-owned solar on social housing in London.

At Repowering, we want to help you deliver your own community owned renewable energy project...

The potential

Project benefitsSocial return•Renewable Energy Co-operatives are created, owned and managed by the local community•Support and training for vulnerable youth, local residents and job seekers•Paid apprenticeships and internships, providing opportunities to gain valuable skills and experience•Tackling fuel poverty through energy efficiency initiatives, such as home energy audits

Financial Return •Highly competitive ROI: Each project delivers a return of 3-5% per annum back to shareholders •Renewable energy infrastructure capital costs are funded through community share offer•Resilience to energy price shocks: Energy resold for communal usage at up to 20% discount•Ring fenced funds created for allocation within the community

Environmental return•Renewable energy infrastructure created•Clean, green, renewable energy generated•Reduction in the borough’s carbon footprint •Reduced energy consumption locally, following community engagement and energy efficiency initiatives

Each project typically delivers...•50 kWh solar PV array installed•37,500 kWh generated p.a.

•20 tCO2 per annum

•10 paid work experience placements •15 internships•20 Energy Audit “Train the trainer” workshops•100 energy surveys, 10 Home energy audits•Over 5,000 residents engaged

What does it take?

• Site identification and selection

• Site survey

• Resident / community engagement

• Planning

• Financial modeling

• Grant applications

• Council liaison

• National Grid connection

• FSA compliance

• Share offer promotion

• Construction oversight

• Managing volunteers

• IT and platform design

• Insurance

• FIT application

• Risk management

• Power Purchase Agreements

• Export metering

• Tender scoping

• Promotion & launch events

• Supplier negotiations

• Financial administration

Here’s a selection of what we had to do for BES 1...

The project required over 2,500 hours dedicated commitment from professionals with the right expertise!

Repowering can helpAt Repowering, we can help you with all of this.…We’ve already done it (three times)!

• 1st Inner City Cooperatively Owned Solar PV station in UK• 1st Co-op Renewable Power Station on Social Housing in UK• 1st Co-op to imbed & ring fence a social aims fund in UK• 1st Co-op to set up as carbon trader in UK • 1st Energy project to accept local currency B£ in the World

Projects Partners Awards & Nominations

Community Groups

Streatham Power

We are now mentoring five community energy groups across London.

Final thought

“I just hope other estates can have this too!”

- Shemsa Guri Osman

Thanks for your time

Afsheen Kabir RashidCo-founder & Director

+44 (0) 7834686264

Afsheen.Rashid@Repowering.org.uk

@RepowerLondon

camden.gov.uk

The position on low carbon energy

from a Housing and Schools perspective

Camden Council

camden.gov.uk

Sustainability Officer

Housing and Adult Social Care

Contact Details

Tel: 020 7974 2530

Email: David.Barns@camden.gov.uk

David Barns

camden.gov.uk

Senior Sustainability Officer

Children Schools and Families

Contact Details

Tel: 020 7974 4550

Email: Gabriel.Berry-Khan@camden.gov.uk

Gabriel Berry-Khan

Fleet Primary School Solar Panel Project2013 - 2015

https://vimeo.com/89732724

Fleet’s Solar Story Expert Advice Student Participation Community Engagement

Expert Advice Solar Schools / 10:10

Delightful and enthusiastic staff Great ideas and insights Branding and support to launch initiative

Camden Sustainability Team

Student Participation Weekly club

Fruity Fridays Promotional Film Large-scale event

Fleet Fun Run Local Business Involvement

10% kickback scheme

Community Engagement Local, like-minded businesses and

organisations Thornton’s Budgens Day Morris Icon Opticians Beetroot Deli, Animal Crackers, Giacobazzi’s

Neighbourhood Event South End Green Festival

Corporate matching donor SPAN group

Thank you for your interest!

Re-energising Camden

Discussion