Share offer launches for community energy in Manchester

Greater Manchester Community Renewables (GMCR) has launched its first share offer, aiming to raise £186,000 to put solar panels on schools and a community building in Salford and Trafford.

The community benefit society plans to install solar arrays on Irlam Primary School, Primrose Hill Primary School in Ordsall and The Fuse in Partington.

Members of the society will receive interest on their shares. They will also be able to vote on how much of the surplus to give to GMCR’s Community Fund, which will go towards local community energy and environmental projects.

Sites with panels installed will benefit from lower electricity bills, as well as a lower carbon footprint.

Lighting up Manchester with community energy

Kate Eldridge, director of GMCR said: “We are delighted to launch our first share offer. After the government’s cuts to support for renewables, the fact that we’ve made it this far is a testament to the hard work of our volunteers and the co-operation of our partners.

“We are particularly grateful for the support of the co-operative movement, including Unicorn Grocery, who gave us a grant of £1,000 from their 1% fund, and our mentors from the Energy Mentoring Programme.”

The Energy Mentoring Programme is delivered by Co-operatives UK and the Community Shares Unit. GMCR received mentoring from community energy experts Jon Halle of Sharenergy and Pete Capener from Bath and West Community Energy.

Recent government cuts to renewable energy policy have left many community energy projects struggling. GMCR is supporting societies like Moss Community Energy (MCE) in Salford.

Sandra Dutson from MCE said: “The government’s change to renewable energy policy meant that after nearly two years’ work only one of our proposed sites for the installation of solar panels was now possible. We’re glad that joint-working with GMCR gives us the chance to honour our commitment to Fiddlers Lane Primary School in Irlam and offer more security to the school.”

• GMCR’s share offer is open until 30 June 2016, with a minimum investment of £100 and a maximum of £20,000.  You can find more information and advice about the share offer at www.gmcr.org.uk