Community benefit schemes, when done well, can build public trust, strengthen local support and contribute to a just energy transition. We support the introduction of a mandatory framework – but it must reflect the practical and financial realities of technologies like battery and long duration energy storage (LDES).
Our key recommendations include:
- A differentiated approach. Design the policy to recognise the unique investment cases of battery and Long Duration Energy Storage, with LDES in particular a nascent technology.
- Don’t set a minimum contribution for storage. Avoid minimum payments for storage – with 38% of surveyed members saying £100 / MW per year was too high.
- Keep the framework flexible. Allow communities and developers to co-design benefit schemes that work for them. This includes offering the option for funds to be delivered as an upfront payment, where the community prefers this.
- Consider the approach to co-located assets. Allow developers to combine contributions from co-located assets into a single, locally governed fund rather than splitting by asset type.
The Electricity Storage Network will continue working with members and DESNZ to shape a policy that builds public trust, supports community engagement and enables investment. See our recent best practice guide to community engagement, which sets out practical steps for meaningful local engagement. If you’d like to discuss this topic further, please contact Olly or register to attend our next planning working group session in October.
