British Solar Renewables (BSR) has launched a Community Commitment Pledge, formalising how it will support local communities throughout the lifetime of every renewable energy project it develops.
The pledge includes a commitment to provide a community benefit fund as part of every project, alongside measures to support local initiatives, promote jobs and skills, maintain long-term community engagement and create lasting value in the areas where projects are located.
The launch comes as conversations around community benefit, social value and public support become increasingly important to the successful delivery of renewable energy infrastructure across the UK.
Building on its Nature Protection Pledge, BSR has developed the Community Commitment Pledge as a clear framework for how it will engage with, invest in and remain accountable to communities before, during and long after projects are built.
Under the pledge, BSR will:
- Provide a community benefit fund as part of every project it develops.
- Support local groups, charities and initiatives identified through community engagement.
- Promote local jobs, skills and educational opportunities linked to renewable energy development and operation.
- Host community meetings and consultation events and maintain clear communication channels throughout the project lifecycle.
- Work with local organisations, councils and community groups to identify opportunities for collaboration.
- Maintain inclusive and accessible engagement throughout the life of a project.
The pledge builds on community initiatives already supported by BSR. At its Knowl Green solar project in Essex, funding from the site’s Community Benefit Fund is helping deliver energy-efficiency improvements to a community building serving seven rural parishes, reducing running costs and supporting year-round use by residents and local groups.
Tim Humpage, CEO of British Solar Renewable, said, “The conversation around renewable energy has evolved. Communities want to know not just what a project generates, but what it contributes locally. This pledge sets out the standards we will hold ourselves to across every project, from community benefit funds and local opportunities to meaningful engagement over the long term. The energy transition should create positive outcomes for people and places as well as the environment.”
