On Tuesday 10 June, the International Development Committee will
hold the first session of its new inquiry into ‘UK aid for
community-led energy'.
‘Community-led energy' is an approach where local communities own
and manage their own renewable energy projects, ranging from
cooperative solar projects to independent microgrids.
Research shows that ‘community-led energy' is often more
inclusive and successful at meeting the needs of poorer
communities than large-scale, top-down projects. The UN's 2024
Tracking Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7) report highlights
that decentralised energy projects are particularly beneficial
for those in rural communities.
MPs will explore how this approach could help address the needs
of some of the 750 million people who still lack access to
electricity, while contributing to the 2015 Paris Agreement on
Climate Change.
In the first panel, members will hear from leaders of renewable
energy social enterprises and non-profit organisations, including
William Kamkwamba whose story was featured in the Netflix film
‘The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind'. MPs are likely to ask about the
scale of the clean energy access problem, potential solutions,
and the realities of delivering projects on the ground.
In the second panel, MPs will explore best practices to achieve
meaningful community engagement, and if policy makers are doing
enough to ensure gender inclusivity and meet the needs of
marginalised groups.
Witnesses
From 14.00:
· Nedjip Tozun, CEO of d.light,
EarthShot Prize finalist [virtual]
· William Kamkwamba, Moving
Windmills Project [virtual]
From 14.45:
· Dr Alycia Leonard, Senior
Research Associate in Energy Systems, University of Oxford
· Sarah Roberts, CEO,
Practical Action
