Devon has more community energy organisations than any other county in the UK, generating 17,431 MWh of green energy.
An impact report from Regen shows 23 grass roots organisations have installed 12.3MW of capacity through 62 community owned renewable electricity generation projects.
Community energy organisations have raised £14.1 million of investment, including £5.5 million through community shares.
The schemes have also saved 6,080 tonnes of CO2 emissions and supported 2,717 homes to save money on energy bills, the report says.
Devon’s County Council cabinet member for community, public health, transportation and environmental services, Roger Croad, said: “I’m very pleased that Devon is a leader in the community energy revolution and that support provided by the county council since 2011 has played a part in this achievement.
“Each of these organisations is different-some focus on providing energy efficiency and fuel poverty advice while others concentrate on community-owned renewable energy.”
Katie Reville, director of South Dartmoor Community Energy, added: “Through our advice services we help residents to save energy and money in their homes and to live more comfortably and we can also give people the opportunity to get involved in, and benefit from, renewable energy schemes. We’re really proud of what community energy groups in Devon are achieving.”
Regen’s communities project manager, Jodie Giles, said the report demonstrates the “power of ordinary people doing extraordinary things to make their communities stronger and more resilient.”
She added: “Not only are they generating home grown clean energy, they are maximising the value of projects by employing local people and companies, helping vulnerable people save money on energy bills and improving people’s quality of life.”
Devon has approximately 905MW of renewable electricity installed as of March 2017, with 1.3 per cent of total installed renewable electricity in Devon is community owned.
The Devon Community Energy Impact Report 2018 was a collaboration between renewable energy experts Regen, Devon County Council and the 23 organisations that took part.