Community Action Northumberland | Energy, Fuel Poverty & Low Carbon Initiatives

Energy Generation
Renewable energy is energy which comes from natural resources such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides, and geothermal heat, which are renewable (naturally replenished).

While many renewable energy projects are large-scale, renewable technologies are also suited to rural and remote areas.

Climate change concerns, coupled with high oil prices, peak oil, and increasing government support, are driving increasing renewable energy legislation, incentives and commercialisation.

Key Organisations:
Northumberland Renewable Energy Group (NREG) is a public, private and third sector partnership which seeks to identify and address the barriers to uptake of renewable energy technology in Northumberland through partnership working.

Groundwork North East is the region's foremost environmental regeneration charity. They work across the North East’s most deprived areas to improve the quality of people's lives. Doing this is complex and involves a lot of different projects, all of which contribute to our overall vision of a society of sustainable communities.

Community Renewable Energy (CoRE) works with communities to develop renewable energy projects, that provide them with an income and a sustainable, secure energy supply. In return CoRE takes a stake in the companies created; to recoup development costs and to fund future community renewable energy projects.

Publications:
Get Generating - a guide produced by ACRE in partnership with CPRE, CRC and NALC-provides an overview of community based renewable energy options for rural community groups, local councils and individuals.

Energy for Business - This brochure seeks to showcase and encourage others to realise the benefits of low or zero carbon technology, to help others choose the most appropriate technology for their situation and to avoid any pitfalls which may be encountered during the process. It includes summary information on each of fourteen projects grouped by technology so that you can easily access one or more examples of the technology in question. Produced by NREG.

Learning from Leaders a guide to help communities avoid potential pitfalls and perils when developing a renewable energy project for the first time. Produced by NREG.

Hydropower: A guide for you and your community produced by the Environment Agency, DECC, the Welsh Assembly Government and the Energy Saving Trust.

Tynedale Renewable Energy Trail – 16 projects (PDFs)

REALL Projects - Renewable Energy at a Local Level was a project delivered by CAN, a number of case studies were produced.

Fuel Poverty
Fuel poverty is the inability of a household to afford sufficient warmth for health and comfort. A fuel-poor household is one that needs to spend more than 10% of household income on fuel for heating, hot water, cooking lighting and electrical appliances. The amount spent on heating must be enough to achieve a satisfactory level of warmth. This is generally accepted to be 21°C in the living room and 18°C in other rooms.

Fuel poverty is often associated with off gas and solid wall properties of which there are nearly 26,000 and 35,000 respectively in Northumberland.

The Government has instigated a review of fuel poverty definitions and targets to help focus policies and resources.

Key Organisations:
Northumberland Warmzone is committed to helping all households across the county to keep warm. Through its programme of home visits, Northumberland Warm Zone aims to connect householders with help and support.

Publications
Best Practice for Oil Buying Groups - produced by ACRE, Citizen's Advice and the Federation of Petroleum Suppliers

The Energy Saving Trust has a number of useful resources on their website, including the following:

Solid Wall Insulation

Other Low Carbon Initiatives

Key Oganisations:

Publications:
Adapting to climate change: a guide for local councils and community groups, wanting to take action to adapt to climate change, with information on some of the future risks and opportunities. Produced by ACRE and DEFRA.