The clean energy dash >>> last chance for funding before 30th November

Central government will be cutting off funding to community energy projects:
Futures Forum: Britain's boom-and-bust in solar power >>> cutting the Feed-in-Tariff and cutting investment in community energy schemes

With the result that the most high-profile project has been terminated:
Futures Forum: Balcombe: community-owned solar park brought to an end by government cuts: "either they haven't got a clue about business, or they are trying to destroy the community energy sector."

The 10:10 campaign is trying to rally support before the deadline at the end of the month:

Seven days to go. I've got a good feeling about this week! Donations are pouring in for the Clean Energy Dash: our big push to help Britain's local energy projects get funded ahead of a sneaky government cut. Seven projects are already funded, and everyone's leaving messages of support on the website, cheering on the others. Take a look - it'll make your day! If you haven't chipped in yet, there's still time. The last project closes in seven days, but lots of them close sooner - so if you want the widest choice, grab your card and do it now! These volunteer-driven projects – often years in the making – are building the clean power we need, and pouring the profits back into the local community. It's vital work, and now they need our help to see it through. Whether you've got five, 50 or 500 pounds to spare, your contribution could be the difference between a project getting built and getting binned. Help a local energy project

10:10 brings people together to do positive, practical stuff that helps tackle climate change. Our Back Balcombe project was set up to help the 'fracking village' go solar, and get millions more people involved in community energy.

The Clean Energy Dash is a campaign to help fund as many local energy projects as possible, before they're derailed by incoming government cuts.

SUPPORT A PROJECT

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1. The situation

What is community energy?

Imagine an energy company that gets its power from local wind, water and sunshine. It's run by ordinary people (maybe even someone you know), and channels all its profits back into the local area. That's community energy.

What exactly is being cut?

The government offers two tax breaks to encourage people to invest in small and growing businesses. These make a huge difference for community energy projects, as it makes their share offers more attractive to large-scale investors. From 30 November, community energy projects will no longer be eligible for either tax break.

Will there be any more community energy projects after the deadline?

Yes there will, but they’ll probably be smaller and less ambitious.

The tax relief cuts, combined with other policy changes, mean that this is likely to be the last set of large scale community energy projects we see for a while.

2. The campaign

Who's running the campaign?

The campaign is run by the UK climate change charity 10:10. We offer positive, practical ways to help tackle climate change, and bring people together to make the most of them.

We're not officially connected with the community energy groups featured on this website, but we're in touch with all of them, and got their approval before we launched the campaign.

How can I help?

We need everyone to help these projects get over the line before the cuts come into force. You can donate to a project from just £5, and we'll combine everyone's donations to make an investment. If you've got more cash to spare, you can invest in a project directly. Remember: as with all investments, your capital is at risk.

What's the rush?

Right now, there are some amazing local energy groups out there trying to build wind, solar and hydro power for the benefit of their local communities.

Normally they’d have weeks or months to raise the money they need to go ahead. But a surprise cut to government support means they’ve got to be fully funded by the end of November.

About — The Clean Energy Dash
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