Campaigners welcome MP's support for national community energy initiative

Oldham East and Saddleworth MP Debbie Abrahams

Power for People, an organisation campaigning for more local, clean energy, has welcomed the support of Oldham East and Saddleworth MP, Debbie Abrahams, for a Bill introduced in Parliament that, if made law, would allow communities to sell locally generated energy to local people.

Currently, if a community owns a local energy structure, such as a field of solar panels or a wind turbine, they are not able to sell the energy it generates to local people.

The Local Electricity Bill, if made law, would create a 'right to local supply' for communities, allowing them to benefit from the money currently received by larger utilities.

Power for People is campaigning for other MPs across the country to support the Bill.

Director Steve Shaw said: "We warmly welcome Debbie Abrahams' support for this initiative.

"People like clean, local energy most when they know that their communities are receiving benefits from it.

"The Local Electricity Bill would enable this to happen across the country."

Mrs Abrahams said: "It is vital that communities benefit as our economy transitions to one with increasingly more decentralised and clean energy.

"The Local Electricity Bill will enable local energy generation to benefit local communities.

"I will do all I can to ensure it becomes law."

Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something going on in and around Oldham? Let us know by emailing news@oldham-chronicle.co.uk , calling our Oldham-based newsroom on 0161 633 2121 , tweeting us @oldhamchronicle or messaging us through our Facebook page. All contact will be treated in confidence.