A PROJECT that could bring community renewable energy schemes to Okehampton has taken its first steps.

Okehampton Community Energy, a joint venture between Okehampton Town Council and Okehampton Hamlets Parish Council, has now secured a grant to investigate the feasibility of community owned renewable energy schemes within the area.

This funding from the Rural Community Energy Fund (RCEF) has allowed the project to commission local firm DARE to conduct investigations into the potential for community owned solar photovoltaic panel arrays and hydropower systems.

RCEF is a £15-million programme delivered by circular economy and resource efficiency experts WRAP and jointly funded by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Department of Energy & Climate Change (DECC).

It supports rural communities in England to develop renewable energy projects which provide economic and social benefits to the community.

A highly successful first meeting of the working group, which consisted of members of the public, local organisations and both councils was held recently to launch the project.

The group is interested in hearing from anyone else who is keen to be part of the project group, which will promote tangible community benefits from sustainable energy and engage with local people.

The working group has proposed a good number of sites which may be ideal for solar or water power within the catchment, so local site owners will be hearing from the project team soon.

However, if you are a public, community or commercial property owner, with a large roof, or water course and have a use for the electricity generated please contact the working group. The working group is keen to investigate all opportunities in and around Okehampton.

If you would like to be added to the mailing list, to volunteer, find out more, or suggest a site e-mail [email protected]">[email protected]