Co-op Energy launches community strategy

Supplier plan includes time of use tariffs and power purchase agreement growth

Co-op Energy has pledged to have 60 power purchase agreements (PPA) in place with community generators over the next three years, as part of a new strategy.

The supplier’s community energy strategy sets out a number of goals, including a commitment to develop “simplified and longer” PPA contract terms with more commercial benefits for community energy groups.

According to the document, Co-op Energy currently has 40 PPAs in place with community groups, compared with just nine in 2014, and aims to increase that number to 60 within the next three years.

The strategy also includes commitments to complete the Swell solar PV project in Oxfordshire, help roll-out the Cyd Ynni hydro project in north Wales and continue to sponsor Community Energy Fortnight in 2017.

Co-op Energy will also trial new “time of use” and “local energy” tariffs, as well as work with schools to demonstrate the strengths of community energy.

The supplier’s head of renewable energy, Mark Billsborough, said community projects are a “fantastic demonstration of the power of working together at a local level”.

“Our support for community projects and the volunteers that drive them is unique, but we believe there is potential to take them to even greater heights if people continue to work together,” added Billsborough.

The publication of the document was welcomed by the chief executive of Community Energy England, Emma Bridge, who said it was a “powerful contribution to the development of the sector”.

“We, of course, applaud the exciting commitments to increase usage of local energy generation and the trialling of time of use tariffs, but it’s also great to see a supplier wear its membership of Community Energy England and REScoop so proudly and pledge to lobby for good,” said Bridge.