Local Renewable Energy

The benefits of this form of renewable energy, its technology and its business case, are well-tried and well-tested in the public sector.  If your organisation has not previously undertaken a renewable energy generation project, this is a good starting point.

Solar PV facilities can be developed at wide range of scale, generating capacity and capital cost. They have been widely used by all types of local authority and public sector organisations to help meet net zero targets, generate income and bring benefit to communities . CLICK HERE to view a selection of solar PV case studies from the region.

Also provided on this page are a selection of Hub Guides on solar PV, which have been especially written by the Hub team to provide you with an accessible introduction to the key considerations for the development a solar PV project:

• Due Diligence in Large-Scale Renewable Energy Projects
• Commissioning, Operation and Maintenance Requirements of Solar Farms
• Solar Photovoltaic Development Opportunities

If you need help to develop your solar PV project, please contact us to explore how we could support you: info@gsenetzerohub.org.uk.

The current policy environment for onshore wind is evolving.

There may also be opportunity for local authorities to work in partnership with community energy groups who have initiated such projects, and support them during the planning process and with funding.

Please contact us if you would like an exploratory conversation about a project idea involving onshore wind or are having difficulty with a project in development: info@gsenetzerohub.org.uk.

Regional case studies are available in this section for both local authority and community-led hydropower projects.

There may also be opportunity for local authorities to work in partnership with community energy groups who have initiated such projects, and support them during the planning process and with funding.

Please contact us if you would like an exploratory conversation about a project idea involving hydropower or are having difficulty with a project in development: info@gsenetzerohub.org.uk.

A storage system enables energy from renewable systems to be banked when an excess of power is generated and then released when the power is needed most, whether for self-use, for export to another party, or to the local electricity grid network.

A regional case study is available here, which illustrates how solar PV and BESS have been combined within a local authority project.

A variety of BESS technologies are available, they can be used with any type of renewable generating technology and at any scale of local energy generation.

Please contact us info@gsenetzerohub.org.uk if you would like to find out how BESS could complement your renewable energy generation project or would like advice about developing a business case to include BESS in your project.

Distribution Network Operators are the organisations that own and control the electricity distribution network, connecting generators,  suppliers, energy users and consumers. Those wishing to develop a local power generation project must engage with their local Distribution Network Operator about connecting their facility to the grid. You can find out more about how to engage with your local Distribution Network Operator on this website.

The Net Zero Hub can help to facilitate an early conversation with your local Distribution Network Operator to establish the viability of your project idea, or to help overcome an issue with grid constraint that has arisen during your project’s development.