We are joined by CHE graduate Kevin Frea.

Sixty members of Lancaster Cohousing have built an energy self sufficient and efficient community on the banks of the River Lune near Lancaster.

The 41 homes, built to Sustainable Building Code 6 and Passivhaus standard, have a district heating system, powered by woodchip from a nearby sawmill, and generate electricity from solar PV and (later this year) from a 200 kWe community hydro scheme on the nearby weir.

Lancaster Cohousing intends to “build a community on ecological values and to be at the cutting edge of sustainable design and living…Our concerns span climate change, biodiversity, food, chemicals, transport, waste, resources and global development issues.”

Community energy schemes have the potential to increase democratic control of energy resources, reduce carbon emissions, alleviate fuel poverty, generate income for community projects, and provide an ethical investment opportunity. They have enthusiastic support across the political spectrum, from (moderate) Conservatives to the Green Party and hold the possibility to engage people who would not otherwise be interested in alternatives to fossil fuels.

About Kevin Frea

After Kevin graduated from the Centre for Human Ecology with a Masters degree in 2009 he set up a community energy co-operative in Gloucestershire. He has a lifelong interest in renewable energy and co-operatives, and is currently a Director of several energy generating and saving community schemes including Halton Lune Hydro and Less (Lancaster) CIC.

He lives with his partner at Lancaster Cohousing and will talk about the practicalities of setting up community energy projects and the challenges and delights of living in an aspiring ‘eco community’.