Member updates

The Minister for Climate visits Low Carbon Hub

Minister for Climate, Kerry McCarthy, visited Low Carbon Hub last month in her first ministerial visit, to learn more about community energy and the innovation work we’re doing at the grid edge to drive the transition to Net Zero.

Low Carbon Hub welcomed a delegation from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero including Kerry McCarthy, Minister for Climate, Katherine Wright, Deputy Director, Local Net Zero Strategy Directorate and Anca Mihalache, Head of Smart Energy Policy.

The visit kicked off with a roundtable discussion highlighting the role that community energy is already playing in the transition to net-zero, and the impact that policy changes to support greater community ownership and enable local energy trading could achieve.

The Minister also took time to take in a tour of Osney Lock Hydro and a local business, the Vishuddah Yoga Centre. Both participated in Osney Supercharge trial, part of the £40 million Innovate UK funded Project LEO (Local Energy Oxfordshire.)

Minister for Climate Kerry McCarthy said:

“Tackling climate change is a shared challenge that can start at home. In my first visit as Climate Minister to Osney Hydro Lock and the Low Carbon Hub, I’ve seen first-hand the hugely important role local communities are playing in our mission for clean power – with investment funnelled straight back into innovative energy projects.

As we accelerate towards net zero, we want to see more of this. That’s why through Great British Energy we will create the Local Power Plan, so that local authorities and communities are empowered to support cleaner and more secure homegrown energy for their towns and villages.”

Dr Barbara Hammond, CEO of Low Carbon Hub said:

“Low Carbon Hub was pleased and proud to host the Minister’s first visit in her new role and to share with her some of the pioneering and inspiring work communities are doing in Oxfordshire. We are tremendously excited by the potential of the Local Power Plan to make sure the transition happens in a way that can truly involve, and benefit, everyone.”

Osney Supercharge set out to understand how better collaboration around the way we use, store and generate electricity can sit at the heart of a smart, low carbon, locally balanced energy system that creates opportunities and benefits people in an equitable and fair way.

The tour brings to life the challenges and opportunities that arise in the transition to a net zero. It’s available to experience digitally here.

During the roundtable discussion the Low Carbon Hub team were joined by Malcolm McCulloch (University of Oxford), Eleanor Watts (Rose Hill & Iffley Low Carbon), Cllr Anna Railton from Oxford City Council and Cllr Pete Sudbury from Oxfordshire County Council, who were able to bring their perspectives to the table.

Our CEO Barbara Hammond chaired the discussion with topics ranging from the importance of ‘grid edge co-ordination’ to bridging the gap between strategic local area energy planning and delivery on the ground and need for social justice.

As Eleanor stressed, we must make sure we bring everyone along on the transition to net zero.

A takeaway we can all get on board with.

About Low Carbon Hub

Low Carbon Hub is a social enterprise that’s out to prove we can meet our energy needs in a way that’s good for people and good for the planet.

Our work includes developing community-owned renewable energy projects in Oxfordshire, enabling homes and businesses to reduce their energy demand, and innovative energy trials accelerating the transition to net zero energy system.

Because we are run for the benefit of the community, we use all of our profits to fund community-led action on climate change. Find out more: lowcarbonhub.org