Cornwall’s Community-Driven Path to Energy Security and Sustainability

In a pioneering move to forge a sustainable and secure energy future, Cornwall has initiated a significant dialogue through the Cornwall Residents’ Energy Panel. This month marks the beginning of a series of discussions among a diverse group of local residents selected to ponder and shape the region’s transition to a net-zero local energy system. The panel’s formation and its discussions stand as a testament to Cornwall’s commitment to addressing the critical issues of energy security, including the ways homes are heated, the nature of travel, and the generation of energy.

The panellists, representing a cross-section of Cornwall’s population, were chosen by the Sortition Foundation, known for its expertise in assembling locally representative groups to deliberate on specific topics. Their discussions are centered on the ambitious question of how Cornwall should navigate its path to achieving a net-zero energy system, a goal that aligns with broader environmental and sustainability objectives.

This initiative is part of the larger Local Area Energy Plan, a project spearheaded by Cornwall Council and the Council of the Isles of Scilly. Funded by the government through the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero via the South West Net Zero Hub, the plan aims to make the region’s energy supply cheaper, more secure, and sustainable. Furthermore, it seeks to stimulate the green economy, underscoring the strategic importance of local energy planning in combating climate change and promoting economic resilience.

The Cornwall Residents’ Energy Panel is making history as the first instance of a local authority incorporating a residents’ panel into the Local Area Energy Plan’s development process. This innovative approach ensures that the voices and perspectives of local residents directly inform the plan’s recommendations for transforming energy systems and infrastructure across the heating, electricity, and transport sectors.

Cllr Martyn Alvey, Cornwall’s cabinet member for environment and climate change, expressed gratitude to those who showed interest in the panel and emphasised the importance of their contributions to the ongoing discussion about renewable energy generation, home heating, and transportation methods. He also highlighted the upcoming public consultation phase, where all residents of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly will have the opportunity to offer their insights on the draft Local Area Energy Plan.

The initiative to engage residents directly in the planning process was well-received, with 15,000 households randomly selected to apply for panel participation. Fifty individuals were ultimately invited to join, ensuring a panel that mirrors the demographic diversity of Cornwall. This effort is supported by engagement experts Copper Consultancy and technical contractor City Science, reinforcing the collaborative framework underpinning the Local Area Energy Plan.

As Cornwall takes these bold steps towards a sustainable and secure energy future, the Cornwall Residents’ Energy Panel exemplifies the region’s innovative approach to community involvement in shaping energy policy and planning. The outcomes of these discussions and the subsequent public consultation are eagerly awaited, as they will lay the groundwork for a greener, more resilient Cornwall.

For more information see: Local Area Energy Plan.