As the bill approaches a critical Report Stage on October 29th, Nick Rosen warns that community and local energy projects are at risk of being sidelined by major industry players, jeopardising the UK’s energy resilience in the face of shifting global energy dynamics.
Nick Rosen cites evidence to the Commons Select Committee from witnesses including the GLA, the Tyndall Centre, Trade Union Prospect, and Community Energy England which called for the Bill’s basic objects to include “the development and scaling of municipal and community energy”.
Evidence to the Select Committee from the ABI (Association of British Insurers) stated that its members are firmly committed to a £100 billion investment in UK clean energy—dwarfing Great British Energy’s £8 billion budget and even eclipsing the £ 67 billion claimed from the Investment Summit earlier this month.
“The entire £8 billion should be spent on taking a minority stake in community energy,” said Rosen. That is where it can do the most good, and get the largest return in the shortest time.
“Cinderella of the UK Energy Scene”
Despite the government’s verbal assurances, the basic principles of locally owned energy are not enshrined in this Bill, says Nick Rosen, an environmental campaigner, off-grid energy expert, and founder “of Off-Grid.net,
Since the election he has voiced strong concerns about the government’s current energy strategy, emphasising the neglect of small-scale, local energy initiatives, which he describes as the “Cinderella of the UK energy scene.”
According to Rosen, funding disparities and the lack of a clear plan for small-scale projects leave local energy initiatives in the shadow of big industry players, including the National Grid.
“Local community energy will be the Cinderella of the UK energy scene,” said Rosen.
“The Ugly Sisters – National Grid and their associates – have already hoovered up much of the available money. The £600 million pledged by Labour in their five pledges has shrunk to £400 million, leaving regions to fight over scraps.
“In three years, the government will likely turn around and claim that local energy didn’t work when they barely gave it a chance.”
Their £8 billion is chicken-feed when compared to the hundreds of billions that will be needed.
Report Stage of Great British Energy Bill – A Turning Point
With the Great British Energy Bill Report stage being given just one day of parliamentary time next week, Rosen is urging the government to provide its commitment to community and local power initiatives.
“They promised 2000 community in 5 years in the 5 pledges” said Rosen – “that is roughly one a day – so they should have announced 100 of them by now.”
He points to the potential for small-scale clean energy projects (of around 5MW) to provide immediate power for new housing projects – currently stuck in a 10-year wait for power from National Grid.
Additonal benefits are energy resilience amid global uncertainty, noting the grid connectivity issues that have delayed many large-scale projects.
“The UK could be rolling out small, local energy generation in time for this winter,” Rosen said. “With grid connectivity problems stalling projects across the country, the sensible thing to do is increase off-grid generation now and connect to the grid in due course.”
You can fill in a form and check the off-f-gird map for projects in your area off-gri.net/localenergy
Quotes for Attribution
“Local community energy will be the Cinderella of the UK energy scene. The Ugly Sisters – National Grid and their associates – have already hoovered up much of the available money.”
“The UK’s energy strategy needs immediate off-grid solutions. We can’t afford to wait three years for large projects to come online.”
“Why push the Great British Energy Bill through parliament in such a hurry when the local power plan is still incomplete? There must be a draft plan by now let’s see it”
Background on Nick Rosen
Nick Rosen, a prominent figure in the off-grid and sustainable living movement, is the author of two books on off-grid energy and the founder of Off-Grid.net, a platform that has empowered over 80,000 users to explore off-grid solutions.
Rosen has also produced films for the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, PBS, and CBS, and has contributed to major publications including The Guardian, The Times, and The Washington Post. He regularly appears on radio and podcasts, discussing sustainable energy and government policy.
Availability for Interviews and Comments
Nick Rosen is available to provide expert analysis on the Great British Energy Bill, the role of local energy, and the implications of the ongoing BRICS summit for the global energy market.
Contact for Media Enquiries:
Dimitris Mavrokefalidis, PR Consultant
Email: news@off-grid.net
