Full house for SISC event

The Strathclyde Institute for Sustainable Communities (SISC) held its first flagship public event, “The Local Power Plan: Powering a community energy revolution in Scotland?” at Strathclyde Business School on March 5.

The panel included Zoe Holliday, CEO Community Energy Scotland, Keith Bell, Holder of the ScottishPower Chair in Future Power Systems at University of Strathclyde, Claire Mack, Chief Executive at Scottish Renewables, and the Minister for Energy, Michael Shanks MP.

The panel discussed the UK’s next steps towards net zero and explored how the LPP might place local authorities and communities at the heart of restructuring the UK’s energy economy.

Michael Shanks spoke about the importance of demonstrating climate leadership, while also including people at the heart of decision making through alternative models of ownership.

The panel discussed ways that community energy projects can play a significant role in achieving UK and Scottish government climate goals, while providing significant financial and social benefits locally. They highlighted that communities should be active participants, rather than passive recipients, in energy policy.

SISC director, Professor Matt Hannon, said, “As the first SISC public event, we are all delighted to see it so well-attended and are incredibly grateful to our panel of speakers and our audience who all made such an enjoyable and insightful evening.”