THE Department of Trade and Industry is holding a public seminar next month on the co-operative approach to renewable energy.
This is the first time a DTI seminar has focused on specifically co-operative solutions and recognises the growing significance of the co-operative sector in this field.
The decision by the DTI to hold the ?Co-operative Energy' event at the Royal Society, London, on March 10th, follows a highly successful visit by leading co-operators and energy experts to Denmark and Sweden, to find out more about the important role that renewable energy co-operatives play in these countries.
The DTI seminar will publicise the findings of the mission, which they funded, and which was organised by Co-operativesUK through its New Ventures Panel Sustainability Working Group.
It will examine the lessons that renewable energy co-operatives in the UK can learn from the Scandinavian experience, and will specifically consider the impact of community-owned wind farms in Denmark, biogas production in Sweden and community-owned district heating schemes.
Delegates to this free, one-day event are expected to include leading policy makers from national, regional and local government, as well as specialists in renewable energy and representatives from co-operative development agencies.
Pauline Green, Chief Executive of Co-operativesUK, commented: `The DTI's decision to support the Movement's work in the renewable energy field, through a high-profile seminar such as this, is a great boost.
`In particular, it is rewarding that the seeds being sown by the Co-operativesUK New Ventures Panel ? which is leading the way in identifying the co-operative opportunities of the future ? are once more bearing fruit.
`Renewable energy is a great business fit for co-operatives as it combines sustainability and concern for the environment ? it matches our principles precisely.`
To book a place at the seminar, e-mail [email protected]
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