Energy is important because we completely rely on it to produce electricity which has become an integrated part of our lifestyles. Currently fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas), are mainly used to produce the electricity we so heavily rely on. There is much evidence that fossil fuels are a main factor towards causing climate change and global warming. Fossil fuels are also non-renewable energy sources and will run out one day. Both these reasons mean we need to start looking into alternative energy sources to continue to support our ever increasing use of electricity in a sustainable way.

Currently in Dorset the total annual expenditure on electricity is about £280 million per year. Virtually all this money flows out of the economy to buy imported fuels. This money could be retained in the local economy through the use of local renewable sources of energy.

A report called REvision 2010 produced in 2005 provided draft targets for renewable electricity for each of the 7 South West Counties including Dorset. The report suggested that Dorset could achieve 8.4-9.9% of electricity demand produced by renewable energy. But renewable energy installed in Dorset has only increased by 500kW since 2007. Dorset would need approximately 40 times the total existing renewable energy capacity installed by 2020 in order to play an equal part in delivering the UK’s international legally binding share on the European renewable energy targets.

There are many organisations, groups and charities operating in Dorset which are focused on energy that would like to encourage use and support for renewable energy and also to give information and advice on energy efficiency.