AS world leaders attending the COP27 climate summit in Egypt were calling for a more urgent drive on delivering greater amounts of renewable energy, Somerset was already answering the call.

Community solar projects and a green energy plan for Somerset have for some time been among the local actions taking place in response to global climate change.

Now, plans for a new local area energy plan (LAEP), along with a number of community-based renewable energy projects, are being worked up.

A specialist consultant is being commissioned to carry out an extensive survey of the county for the new LAEP, in which suitable locations for potential renewable energy projects will be identified and whether they are compatible with connections to the National Grid.

County council climate change lead Cllr Sarah Dyke said: “There is a huge focus on increasing our production of renewable energy right now, globally, nationally, and locally here in Somerset.

“It is vital that we create and seize as many local opportunities as possible.

“We are eager to start the process for the Somerset local area energy plan, which we hope can form a basis for discussion with landowners to explore whether a mix of privately and publicly-owned land can be utilised in making Somerset even more environmentally friendly and climate resilient.”

New solar panels and battery storage systems, installed in around 20 community-based renewable energy projects in the past 12 months and funded by the council’s £1.5 million climate change fund, have also been contributing to local efforts.

‘Green’ energy generated from community buildings has been cutting carbon footprints and significantly reducing energy bills.

The council’s climate change associate lead, Cllr Dixie Darch, visited West Buckland Village Hall, near Wellington, to see new solar panels and an energy efficient lighting system which was installed using £8,450 from the fund.

The hall is at the heart of the community and, thanks to the new energy improvements, is now providing most of its own power for events ranging from pub nights to pilates.

Cllr Darch said: “We are determined to stay ahead of the game in Somerset when it comes to tackling climate change, but we also know that these types of projects will benefit the local community in terms of increased costs of energy, too.

“It is great to see the climate community fund being used to support projects like this one at West Buckland.

“It is crucial that we continue to seek out as many opportunities for creating local renewable energy as possible.”