Can a town generate 30% of its energy from renewables?
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Harriet Wild from the Wadebridge Renewable Energy Network
Last week we introduced you to Harriet Wild from the Wadebridge Renewable Energy Network (WREN).
Now we’ve found out a bit more of the fascinating story behind the organisation.
After reading the book “The solar century” by Jeremy Legget, Professor Stephen Frankel from WREN was inspired to turn theories into reality.
The book clearly described the potential of solar. Stephen called Legget’s PA straight away and said he would like to implement and act upon all the suggestions made in the book.
After getting advice, the social enterprise WREN was set up with the goal of generating 30% of wadebridge’s energy consumption through renewable energy sources by 2015.
It’s the most ambitious project of its kind in the UK which will become a model for the rest of the UK to follow if it succeeds.
I’ve no doubt in my mind that it will succeed. You need someone with vision and the energy to follow it through, which is exactly what we think Harriet and her team have. They have vision, passion, drive and enthusiasm.
We’ve seen how Rebecca Hoskins used Modbury as a model for a plastic bag free town. Her story inspired other towns to take up the initiative. So why not communities generating their own renewable energy?
Take a look at the short You Tube video below to learn more and please vote for WREN to win £100k towards their project!
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZA43jMAlE4
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this holiday season brings special awareness to mind; people are spending vasts sums on disposables, non renewables and generating future trash in the form of futile purchases–INSTEAD– of investing in a more secure future.
there are glimpses of vision around…we do have some wind turbines a few miles from here, the town council is pro-active on recycling projects, a youth group has begun collecting paper–progress is in the wind indeed.
now, to promote solar? one idea at a time–only appeal to the family purse will move individuals to change their spending habits to save for a healthier lifestyle and energy consumption.
i will forward the links to WREN and The Solar Century to the town aldermen.
@nadine sellers: Well the voting is over – WREN came fith’; not enough votes to be able to secure the funding but I know they will achieve their goal one way or another 🙂
Just found this post – so sorry to have missed the voting, it’s such a fabulous project. I think the sentiment is totally true that it does just take someone with vision and enough energy to carry it through in order to achieve something! I think you’re right Mrs Green, that they will achieve their goal – and hopefully then inspire other towns to follow suit!
@Jill: Thanks Jill, sadly they didn’t win the grant but I know it won’t stop their work in the long run 🙂