Introduction
17% of the UK population live in the 6116 villages of the UK
In Rushcliffe 44% of carbon emissions come from households (a high proportion of which will be in villages).
So for Rushcliffe B.C. it is worth addressing the needs of villages. Accordingly B.E.S.C. enjoys the support of the Environment Department and works with Edward Leddy-Owen, the manager.
By definition both households and the land around them in villages can generate sustainable energy. Additionally householders can take measures to effectively insulate their property and thus secure their gains.
The situation has now changed and wind turbines are now a political possibility. They can be as small or as large as is necessary to provide a sustainable electricity supply, relevant to the size of the village. Additionally, land unsuitable for agriculture
or horticulture could be used for solar farms.
We hope to work with an organisation called Sharenergy to devise schemes to enable people to invest in the infrastructure which will produce sustainable electricity to be fed to the grid.
Bought by energy distribution companies receiving the electricity and reselling it to consumers at a profit. Part of the profits returned to investors and part (say 5% discount) in the reduction of the cost of electricity to villages where the population has supported the scheme.
Additionally of course, some of those homes will be generating their own solar electricity and, or using air source heat pumps to heat homes and provide hot water. BESC is working to enable householders to understand the advantages, financially to them and to the planet by reducing CO2 emissions.
Effectively therefore this is a twin track approach using land and houses to secure the advantages of cheaper energy and climate security.
John Berridge (updated 23.05.25.)