About Future Energy Landscapes

Future Energy Landscapes (FEL) starts community-wide conversations about renewable energy developments in the area that could be owned by and benefit local people.

An example might be a solar farm that is owned by a local community organisation, and which reinvests its profits into the area, for example providing investment in local facilities like a village hall or grants for community groups.

FEL happens at a town or parish scale, and it involves anyone who lives, works or studies in the local area. It starts by bringing people together to explore whether local people want a community renewables project in their area and if so to develop their views on what type of renewable energy would be suitable, and how it could benefit the community. We explore options and listen to people’s concerns.

Why is Future Energy Landscapes different?

This is different from when a commercial company wants to build a wind or solar farm on a site usually chosen on technical evidence only. In these cases, consultations typically happen much later in the process, provide few real opportunities for communities to say what they think. They tend to be aimed at achieving public consent for a specific development that people outside the community already have in mind.

By contrast, FEL is a step‑by‑step journey where the community chooses if, how and where a local renewable energy project might happen, and what the benefits to the community should be.

In FEL, the community’s views shape the process from the very beginning. Project partners, for example a community energy group, will provide advice and technical input, but decisions are made locally.

No planning proposals are submitted as part of FEL. The process is about understanding if the community is interested in a renewable energy project, and what type of renewable energy development that might be.

How does it work?

A typical project might go something like this:

Stage 1: The first community workshop takes place. This takes place in a village hall or similar venue, and, like all our events, everyone is welcome. This workshop explores renewable energy options such wind turbines and solar farms. We discuss the local landscape and possible benefits from community ownership.

Stage 2: Wider community conversations take place to find out what other people in the area think. Examples of where these conversations happen include drop-in events, village fetes, library stalls, street pop-ups or webinars. And a survey is distributed so everyone can have their say.

Stage 3: The second community workshop is held. This explores examples of community ownership, and we discuss possible areas for local wind or solar projects and review technical information why some sites may be inappropriate.

Stage 4: A second survey to find out what people think about possible areas for community-owned wind and solar, and if a community energy project is wanted in the area.

If there is interest from the community to continue...

Stage 5: Here we select a short list of potential sites for which detailed studies are undertaken looking at issues like site access, land type, grid connection, land ownership and wind speed. These help us to understand what the technical considerations are, if there are barriers to development at any of the sites, and whether a project is practical and worth developing.

Stage 6: A third community workshop reviews the detailed study and survey findings. The community decides if there is interest in taking forward a community energy project. If there is, then we agree some next steps such as establishing a working group and identifying future funding.

Stage 7: A report published summarising the findings from engagement in the local area.

If there is genuine and broad-based interest among local people for a community energy project, then FEL will offer support in planning the next steps and in seeking funding for this.