Energy co-operatives in the UK: current and future prospects.

Tham, Yieng Wei; Muneer, Tariq

Abstract

The UK is implementing different types of policies to encourage the use of renewable energy for electricity generation. Currently, the UK is falling behind other European countries in this respect.Hence, co-operatives play an important role in helping the UK to move forward. Co-operatives are of interest to the Government in respect of economic development in the community. Co-operatives keep
both the business, or entity, and the wealth it creates locally, which also supports the local economy.Survival rates are higher for co-operatives, which will make them a more sustainable choice for businesses and have a positive impact upon employment opportunities. Co-operatives can be adapted
to suit all types of situations, especially during difficult times such as the world economic downturn. This article explores the role energy co-operatives can play within the context of electricity generation in the UK. A review of the degree of exploitation of two leading and currently deployed renewable
energy technologies is presented for key member states within the EU. This is followed by a discussion on the growth of the co-operatives and their role in meeting the aims of achieving a low-carbon economy.

Citation

Tham, Y. W., & Muneer, T. (2013). Energy co-operatives in the UK: current and future prospects. International Journal of Low-Carbon Technologies, 8, 43-51. https://doi.org/10.1093/ijlct/ctr048

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: 2013
• Deposit Date: Mar 7, 2013
• Print ISSN: 1748-1317
• Electronic ISSN: 1748-1325
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 8
• Pages: 43-51
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/ijlct/ctr048
• Keywords: Energy co-operative; renewable energy; low-carbon economy
• Public URL: http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/id/eprint/5918
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/ijlct/ctr048