Summary
The project also developed National Community Energy Strategy; the National Community Energy Strategy contains strategies that focus on addressing the challenges and opportunities unique to community-owned renewable energy projects.
Need
Previous community renewable energy projects, and any government support that they may have attracted, were developed in an ad hoc manner. No such strategy existed to help guide governments, developers and communities and steer this sector towards an economically sustainable future.
Benefit
The development of the National Community Energy Strategy provides the way forward for the development and growth of this sector.
The process of developing the National Community Energy Strategy, further understanding viable community energy business models and staging the Community Energy Congress will educate the public about renewable energy; build support for renewable energy at all scales; and bring together project proponents, industry and policy makers to discuss the barriers to deployment and community energy. Both activities enhance the communication and sharing of information and experience necessary to build the ability of industry and the community to support rapid development of renewable energy.