Partnerships: Q&A with Gower Electric CIC
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Here at Ecotricity, we’re all about collective action to green up Britain. That’s why we’ve partnered with Gower Electric CIC to provide green energy to the local community in Swansea.
We caught up with Roy Church, Director of the Heritage Centre and Gower Electric CIC, to tell you more.
Tell us about Gower Electric CIC and the relationship with Ecotricity.
Gower Electric CIC produces electricity from its Solar Park in Dunvant on the Gower Peninsula South Wales. The site is on a farm managed by Gower Heritage Centre which operates a 12th Century Water powered mill, and the need to use more renewable energy has long been a message that the centre has given out to its thousands of visitors over the years. The farm site is home to sustainable growers specialising in organic and vegan food production, and I believe that the partnership with Ecotricity has given new impetus to get the green message out to a larger public. Ecotricity’s core values closely align with the work of the centre to back sustainable ways of producing electricity for the consumer and to encourage its use in agriculture and the rural economy.
Why is renewable energy so important on a community-scale like in Dunvant?
The site in Dunvant showcases how a community led initiative can generate green electricity in a way that can also supply local consumers. Working with Ecotricity has created a unique way of getting locally made electricity to local customers. By showing that a local scheme can work, we believe more consumers will be encouraged to back generation in this way and join the drive for a fully renewable future.
What’s the best part of working for Gower Electric?
Creating a community-based scheme and seeing how we can also get benefits for local charities has been one of the more satisfying results of this project. The local interest created by this partnership has stimulated more discussion on the need to get to zero carbon sooner. We have a lot more requests for site visits by schools and questions on the educational side as well.
How can local residents benefit from switching to Gower Electric and Ecotricity?
The chance of helping local community groups and getting a credit towards their electric bills are the obvious benefits, but being part of a partnership that is educating and informing the public about the need for sustainable energy and how to get there is an important part to play in becoming a customer.
Lastly, do you have any parting words?
We believe that the partnership will help with getting the message across as the importance of renewable energy and how it can be developed locally in a way that also creates local benefit.
Find out more about Gower Electric CIC and how you can get involved.
Do you live outside of Swansea?
You can still switch to Ecotricity – we'll use the money from your bills to build new sources of green energy.
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