North Yorkshire's rural communities gather in Harrogate to take charge of energy future

Community groups and residents from across North Yorkshire will gather in Harrogate next week to explore how locally generated energy could help rural communities take greater control of their energy future.

Taking place on 3 November at The Masonic Hall in Harrogate and organised by the National Innovation Centre for Rural Enterprise (NICRE) and Community First Yorkshire, the event will bring together residents, community organisations, specialists and rural development experts to devise practical ideas for community-led energy projects across the region.

A spokesperson said: “The proposals generated on the day will be shared with local and national decision-makers as part of a wider effort to build a more resilient, prosperous and sustainable future for rural North Yorkshire.

“Around 94 per cent of the land across York and North Yorkshire is classified as rural, with almost a third of the population living in villages, hamlets and more isolated communities.

“While rural areas play a vital role in the region's economy, environment and way of life, they often face unique challenges when it comes to energy infrastructure, transport and access to services.

“Community energy projects are increasingly providing solutions.

“From community-led hydropower schemes and solar farms to supporting electric vehicle charging infrastructure and generating income for local initiatives, community-owned schemes are helping communities across the UK become more self-reliant while reducing carbon emissions and energy costs.”

The event, known as a Climathon, is designed to bring people together to tackle local challenges through collaborative problem-solving.

Participants will hear from expert speakers, explore inspiring examples from other communities and take part in interactive activities to develop ideas tailored to the needs of North Yorkshire's communities.

Dr Natalie Partridge, Research Associate in Rural Innovation at NICRE, said: "When people think about energy generation, they often picture large-scale infrastructure projects.

“But some of the most exciting opportunities could be much closer to home, on the roof of a village hall, through a community-owned solar project, or by local people working together to develop solutions that benefit their area.

"Community energy has the potential to strengthen resilience, reduce costs and create long-term benefits for rural communities.

“This event is about bringing people together to explore what is possible and to develop practical ideas that can make a real difference."

Dena Dalton, Chief Executive of Community First Yorkshire said: “Rural communities have always been built on people coming together to solve challenges and create opportunities.

“This event is about harnessing that same community spirit to explore how local energy generation can help villages and rural areas become more resilient, sustainable and self-reliant.

“By bringing local people together to share ideas and develop solutions, we can help create lasting benefits for communities across North Yorkshire."

The Climathon takes place on 3 November, from 10am to 4pm, at The Masonic Hall, Station Avenue, Harrogate.

The event is open to anyone interested in the future of rural communities, energy resilience and community-led action. To register, visit here