Energy Club Pilots

4CG formed South Ceredigion Energy Local: a pilot study of 2 Energy Local clubs covering:

1. Central Cardigan and the Y Ferwig/Llechryd areas;
2. The area surrounding Cardigan and towards Llangrannog.

Energy Local (EL) provides a mechanism whereby local householders and SMEs (users) can use locally generated energy from renewable technology sources (generators).

Both users and generators form an EL cooperative and benefit from agreeing a local energy tariff for when local power is being produced. The benefits of the pilot project are:

• Members can potentially save from 19% up to 30% on their energy bills
• Member benefits such as cohesive and resilient communities, and security of supply
• A local tariff retains higher income in the local economy
• Higher generating tariffs help address the current economic barriers to renewable technology generation
• More efficient management of local grids for Ceredigion. Electrification of transport and heating (in response to climate change) is increasing demand for electricity, and the current grid system will not cope. ‘Lopping’ peak demand helps.
• Searching for other ways of integrating generators’ supply with local demand, e.g. a mix of renewable technologies (solar, wind, biomass, hydro) and storage options

Once the pilot activities were completed, two case studies from both Energy Local clubs were created to analyse whether the pilot had been a success for creating a permanent Energy Local club.