Our local community has the chance to get involved with plans for the future of energy in Cornwall – and it could be our opportunity to create a more resilient future.
The Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Area Energy Plan (LAEP) has been looking at the essential elements for working towards a cleaner, more affordable and resilient energy system (while ‘retaining the benefits of the transition in the region’).
Funded by the South West Net Zero Hub, and working with more than 4,000 people across the Cornish community and relevant organisations, the plan explores how energy is currently used, supplied and managed, with a view to identifying changes required to make local energy systems less impactful on the planet.
Most importantly, those behind the scheme say it’s an opportunity to:
- Invest in our future energy infrastructure to unlock green jobs and generate clean growth
- Support the expansion of innovative renewables such as floating offshore wind (FLOW)
- Build upon our local strengths such as deep geothermal and biomethane from agriculture
- Minimise the costs of delivering net-zero through maximising the use of available resources and technologies.
Following engagement events, opinion surveys and a community roadshow through 2023 and 2024 (see the initial engagement report, here), our communities are now being asked once more to share their thoughts on how the plan is shaping up.
And, here in Penzance, you can make your voice heard, too! A host of environmental and community groups in Penwith, including XR, Greenpeace and Sustainable PZ, have joined forces to support Cornwall Climate Action Coalition to hold a community conversation on the plan in our community.
The aim? To raise awareness and get more community input, in order to help inform the plan’s development. If you’d like to join and be part of it, the event will be hosted on Sunday, 15th February at The Exchange Gallery in Penzance, 3.30pm – 6pm.
You can see more information on the event here.
Tea and cake provided for all who attend. We’ll see you there!
Useful links:
You can see the Cornwall section of the Local Area Energy Plan here ahead of the event, as well as the full Actions document.
Want to know more about how the plan has progressed so far? Find out more, right here.
