Regen SW is working with partners to establish the 'Communities for Renewables’ initiative.

In keeping with the 'localism' agenda and in response to the increasing number of enquiries from local communities in the region, in June 2010 Regen SW launched a new initiative to support and bring together communities in the south west interested in developing renewable energy projects.

This initiative is an innovative approach to community energy, which focuses on helping communities interested in driving forward their own commercially viable renewable energy projects, to provide revenue streams to finance their own local low-carbon investments.

In the south west of England, harnessing the abundant wind resources is the obvious big opportunity for local communities, as they hold the key to developing locally appropriate and acceptable schemes. Depending on a local community's circumstances, and the Government's decision on the financial support mechanisms - the Feed in Tariff and Renewable Heat Incentive, other technologies may also prove viable options under the Communities for Renewables initiative.