Why are Local Energy Solutions important?
As decarbonisation of our homes and the grid becomes a reality, the British Hydropower Association is looking to ensure that local communities are not locked out by issues of affordability or access to the grid:
- There is just one EV charger every ten miles in England’s rural areas, and some villages are unable to support one for the entire village due to grid constraints.
- Without flexibility provided by smart energy solutions, the grid is at risk of wasting significant energy from renewables and at worst, providing limitations on the electrification of homes due to grid constraints and inefficiencies.
- By 2035, 45% of primary electrical substations by current estimates will lose all capacity headroom (due to electrification of homes), potentially leading to blackouts.
- Reinforcement costs of rural electrical grids would be significant to face this challenge, and by providing Localized Energy Solutions such as Rural Hydropower generation, Solar PV matched with domestic battery storage, you can both help prevent Rural Communities from being left behind and bring new generation online
Local Energy Pledge
As part of our campaign for Local Energy Solutions, we are asking MPs to sign our Local Energy Pledge to help prevent communities from being left behind in the Net Zero transition.
“I pledge to:
- Put local energy at the heart of energy planning.
- Support a diverse mix of local low carbon generation including Hydropower.
- Work to make decarbonisation accessible to all communities”.
Find a link to locate your MP below, as well as a draft letter to use