Oldham Community Power

The transition to renewable energy is one of the major goals of the European Union. It is covered by the European Renewable Energy Directive, the European Union Energy Roadmap 2050 or the EU`s 2030 new climate and energy framework. It is also in the core of the new European Green Deal, where the European Union supports the community energy, stipulating that all member countries enact laws that make community energy not only possible but also profitable. The European Commission estimates that by 2030, citizen-run energy cooperatives could own 17 percent of installed wind capacity in the European Union and 21 percent of the installed solar capacity. According to the same estimates, 50 percent of EU population should be producing solar energy on their roofs by 2050. This good practice is fully in line with the European Green Deal, as it focuses on community energy production in deprived neighbourhoods, combining positive environmental impact with positive social impact. The experience of the Oldham council, as described in this good practice, will be beneficial to other European regions, who are interested in community-owned models of renewable energy production.