The seaside town of Whitehaven, located in north-west England, was recently at the center of a political controversy when the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Michael Gove, granted approval for the UK’s first new deep coalmine in over 40 years near the town.
However, Whitehaven has the potential to become known for more than just coal production. Project Collette, a £3 billion proposal for a windfarm off the Cumbrian coast, aims to involve the local community as partial owners. This initiative, in collaboration with the Green Finance Community Hub, engineering firm Arup, and community energy specialists Energy4All, not only provides an opportunity for renewable energy generation but also the potential to create local jobs and garner political support for climate targets.
While the climate crisis ranks high on opinion polls as a major concern, our research team at Lancaster University has discovered a troubling cycle. As people become more aware of the urgent scale of the crisis, they increasingly look to the government for leadership. However, there is a lack of confidence in the government’s ability to provide that leadership. This leads to a fatalistic attitude where individuals feel overwhelmed and doubt the commitment of politicians.
Breaking this cycle requires politicians to propose bold climate policies that align with people’s aspirations and offer tangible benefits such as local job opportunities. Our research suggests that if people see these policies being implemented and experience the benefits firsthand, they will not only support the government but also take action at the local level to contribute to solutions.
This is where projects like Project Collette play a crucial role. Imagine a scenario where renewable energy, generated through wind turbines and solar farms, is partially owned by local communities or councils. Green jobs would no longer be theoretical notions, but real opportunities for individuals or their neighbors. Moreover, the profits generated from these locally owned initiatives could be invested in important local priorities such as improving home insulation and creating more green spaces.
Locally controlled renewable energy sources would also address concerns about nearby developments. Research shows that a majority of the population supports wind power and other renewable sources. However, public support depends not only on the technology itself but also on having a say in local planning and benefiting directly from the projects.
This vision represents a stark contrast to the current energy sector, which is predominantly led by commercial companies with headquarters located elsewhere. Although community involvement is possible under the existing market system, it often poses significant challenges. Examples like Baywind, the UK’s first community-owned windfarm, and the community-led wind project in Lawrence Weston demonstrate that these initiatives are the exception rather than the norm. Without reforms, projects like Project Collette may remain mere pipe dreams.
Recognizing the need for change, the Labour party has proposed a “local power plan” as part of their climate agenda. This plan envisions partnerships between publicly owned GB Energy, communities, and private developers to finance local energy projects. Communities would have a stake in the projects and would benefit from the generated profits.
This proposal should garner widespread support across party lines. In 2014, I co-chaired a taskforce dedicated to exploring ways to involve local communities in the ownership of energy projects at the request of then Minister Ed Davey. We developed a solid plan that the government accepted as part of a broader support package for community energy. Unfortunately, external events and political shifts prevented its implementation, resulting in a slowdown of community-led projects since then.
Empowering citizens by giving them a direct say in decision-making would demonstrate a government’s trust in its people. The UK parliament’s own climate assembly in 2020 highlighted the value of involving citizens in shaping net-zero plans. Cities like Brussels and Milan have established permanent citizens’ assemblies to guide climate-related decisions. The UK, with its plans for constitutional reform, could be the first country to establish a permanent assembly to advise on net-zero actions.
For the people of Whitehaven, achieving net-zero emissions and creating green jobs may seem like distant and abstract concepts, especially when compared to the immediate prospect of employment in the coal mining industry. To maintain and expand support for climate action, we must focus on interventions that directly benefit people and local communities. Hopefully, one day, we will witness the turbines of Project Collette turning on the Cumbrian cliffs, powered by the steady sea breeze.
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