The UK Community Energy Projects Database provides details of renewable energy projects within each community-orientated energy programme in the UK in operation in 2004. The database contains approximately 500 energy implentation projects and was initially set up to provide an overview and initial analysis of the range of community-level project activity in the UK and as a project resource to inform case study selection. A set of project case studies were selected from the database to provide a cross section of contexts and experiences. These case studies are located in Wales and the North of England. The case studies provided in-depth analysis of the rationales for, management of, progress and success or failure of projects, and the different types of community energy initiative at a local level (see our project approach section).

It was also felt by the project team that the database could also provide a useful resource for practitioners and stakeholders in community energy and for other interested parties.

IMPORTANT: The database contains a profile of available factual information about each project (from web and other sources at the time of doing the research in 2004) and links to the relevant project web site where these exist. We have not been able to fill all of the fields in the database as we had to rely on what information was easily and immediately accessible. We also cannot guarantee that the information on each project is up-to-date and accurate. The database was constructed for use within the timescale of the project. It represents a snapshot (as of end of 2004) of UK community-energy projects. Unfortunately the capacity does not exist within research project resources for ongoing update of the database.

Information has been collected as consistently as possible for projects funded or supported by the following community-orientated Government Programmes and other community energy programmes or networks:

Government community energy programmes:

Clear Skies
Community Renewables Initiative (CRI)*
Scottish Community and Householder Renewables Initiative (SCHRI)
PV Grant Programme
Community Energy
EST Innovation Programme

Other community energy programmes/networks:

Baywind Energy Co-operative
Baywind Energy4All
Solar Clubs†
Community Power (Powergen)
Ecodyfi
Awel Aman Tawe (AAT)
Ashden Awards
Community Fund (part of the Big Lottery Fund)

For more information on these programmes/networks and links to their web sites see our LINKS page.

* For the CRI, information on community involvement is represented by a framework of archetypes. CLICK HERE to see CRI Archetypes.

† The database includes all the solar clubs for which there was information available. It is unlikely that all of these clubs are still active.