Franchise Initiative To Tackle Climate Change

Berwick Today:

A MAJOR new initiative to tackle climate change through a unique franchising scheme which also funds community activities has been launched in Berwick and Alnwick.
The Community Renewable Energy (CoRE) project will work with communities to develop a range of renewable energy schemes — which will make enough money to be able to create a chain of similar schemes across the area.
The CoRE renewable energy companies will generate income for communities and provide them with sustainable, low cost reliable energy supplies, ranging from wind turbines to diesel generators running on recycled cooking oil.
In return, CoRE will take a stake in the companies set up and use their share of the profits to fund the establishment of more community owned renewable energy systems — so-called social franchising.
Ross Weedle, manager of CoRE said: “By the end of our first year, we intend to be generating or saving £100,000 a year for each individual community while reducing the production of carbon dioxide by 2,000 tonnes a year.
“We believe that many communities can see the potential of renewable energy both to do good and make money but they find it too complicated and time consuming to learn about.
“CoRE will provide the expertise as well as raising the funds and in return, it will take a stake in the energy systems created and use the profits to help more communities.”
CoRE is setting up three companies in north Northumberland.
One is Berwick Community Renewable Energy which aims to set up a wind turbine with Berwick Community Development Trust.
Community Wood Energy, based in Alnwick, aims to supply wood fired heating in Seahouses, Wooler, and North Tyneside.
The Renewable Energy Company aims to supply heat and electricity from diesel generators running on vegetable oil operating from an office in Alnwick.
Stephen Byers MP, who launched the initiative on a visit to the region last week, said: “Climate change is the issue of our time. It is a great threat and but also a great opportunity for communities to act and benefit.