Energy Group Newsletter No 1

Progress in establishing the Dunkeld and Birnam Community Energy Scheme is ongoing. Recruitment is now underway for the position of Community Energy Officer for Dunkeld and Birnam. We received a strong number of applications, and six had ideal experience to be invited to interview.

In the meantime, the  Group has been preparing for the project launch in earnest, including:  

·       compiling  a knowledge base of external funding and support signposting, to cut through the maze of available options for a community energy scheme

·       case studies of other completed green energy community schemes

·       an overview of organisations and community groups in Dunkeld and Birnam District

We have also been preparing outline engagement plans and the programme of work for the next 12 months.

Interest in the group has been growing rapidly and it is open to anyone to get involved. Our next group meeting is on the 4^th November at 7:15 pm in the Chanonry on Cathedral Street, Dunkeld. You are welcome to come along if you are interested. Please email dbcommunityenergy@gmail.com to register interest and get more details.

A few Group members had a virtual meeting in September with Erin Koon of Community Energy Scotland (CES) to discuss funding and support options through CES. This is one of several meetings being held to map out the wider support network adding to our External Sources knowledge base. In another, we discussed with a PKC representative their emerging proposals to put solar panels on social housing stock, in nearby demonstrator communities.

You may know of Community Resilience events taking place to pull together the D&B Community Resilience plan. One of the Development group attended a meeting and introduced our community energy vision - offering resilience against high energy prices, and the damage of fossil fuels. The event created more registrations of interest.

Coming up -

DON'T MISS THE FILM – ‘PEOPLE'S EMERGENCY BRIEFING' at Birnam Arts on Sunday 29^th November , 730pm.

Following the successful screening of the amazing 'Power Station' film in August the group is now organising a screening of the 'People's Emergency Briefing' at Birnam Arts,   in association with Dunkeld and Birnam Climate Cafe. The film sets out the implications of climate and nature breakdown for health, food systems, national security and the economy, evidencing the need to support renewable and sustainable energy in a compelling way. The film is free, but donations on the night will be welcomed. There will be an opportunity to discuss the film afterwards and to find out more about community energy.

If you are interested in just knowing more, or participating in the energy group in any capacity, please contact dbcommunityenergy.com.  You’ll be given a very warm welcome!