CAMPAIGN group Power for People thanked Clywd South MP Simon Baynes for championing community renewable energy at a debate in the House of Commons.

Central to the debate was the proposal to create a "Right to Local Supply" via a proposed new law, known as the Local Electricity Bill, that Mr Baynes is supporting, along with a cross-party group of 213 MPs.

The Bill aims to help rebuild local economies whilst increasing clean energy generation.

Mr Baynes stressed the potential benefits it would have for local community renewable energy efforts in Clywd South, including the Corwen hydroelectric project, and in incentivising wider activities within the community.

If made law, the Local Electricity Bill would empower community-owned local energy companies to sell locally generated renewable electricity directly to local households and businesses.

Currently customers can only purchase electricity from nationally licensed utilities. The Bill’s supporters say this means money people use to pay their energy bills is not helping to rebuild local economies and local clean energy infrastructure.

Responding to the debate on behalf of the government, Energy Minister Kwasi Kwarteng MP said: “It is certainly something that I as the Energy Minister will be willing to engage with and have a discussion about ... I think that with a co-operative spirit, we can get very far.”

Power for People is calling for MPs and the government to make the Bill law and are leading a supportive coalition of organisations including Community Energy Wales, Community Energy England, Community Energy Scotland, WWF, Greenpeace, Friends of the Earth and the RSPB. 62 local authorities have also pledged their support.

Power for People’s director, Steve Shaw said: “We thank Simon Baynes for supporting the Local Electricity Bill and for highlighting the potential benefits for local communities in his constituency of Clywd South in the House of Commons debate. If made law, the Bill would unlock the huge potential for new community-owned clean energy infrastructure and for this to boost jobs, services, and facilities in communities in Clywd South and across the UK.”

Mr Baynes added: “A Right to Local Supply will empower and enable new community energy companies to sell energy that they generate directly to local people which will accelerate our transition to clean energy and help strengthen local economies.

"A ‘Right to Local Supply’ would help local community renewable energy efforts in Clywd South, including the Corwen hydroelectric project, and incentivise wider activities within the community. The Local Electricity Bill would enshrine a Right to Local Supply in law and I will do all I can to ensure it succeeds.”