A PROJECT which will be at the forefront of renewable energy initiatives in Devon and involves five communities including North Tawton is launched on Monday.
The Devon Association for Renewable Energy (DARE) will be entirely community led and will focus on aiding communities and organisations to develop renewable energy projects.
Its aim will be to bring practical expertise and experience to new endeavours and will carry on from the work of the Solar Devon and Salzburg Project, led by Devon County Council.
This European funded project which began in September 1999 promoted renewable energy at a community level.
DARE will ensure that the strong partnership with Devon County Council and the links already established with the Salzburger Institut fur Faumordnung und Wohnen (SIR) — a half Government funded university whose work involves energy efficienct — are maintained.
Seven representatives from Salzburg will be visiting sites in Devon over the weekend including a woodland in Colyton and the award-winning cycle shop in Ottery.
On Sunday, which is European Solar SunDay, the Austrian delegation will go to Ilfracombe's youth hostel to see the many energy saving initiatives and open the energy shop in the town before heading to North Tawton for a buffet and barbecue organised by the community.
North Tawton's Environmental Trust are working towards creating a sustainable community and member Paul Baker is one of the directors of DARE.
The visitors from Salzburg will be participating in a final workshop of the 20-month Solar Devon and Salzburg Project at a seminar at County Hall in Exeter and the launch of DARE will take place on the same day.