Red tape and inadequate expertise slowing community energy projects

Red tape and a lack of technical expertise are preventing community groups from setting up renewable energy projects, according to consumer advocates who have launched a new campaign to make it an election issue.

The campaign is led by the Community Power Agency (CPA) and a coalition of grassroots energy groups.

There are more than 70 community energy groups around the nation running 31 renewable energy projects including community solar and wind farms.

But the CPA said projects were taking years to get up as they battle with red tape and a lack of streamlined advice.

Founder Nicky Ison, an academic at University of Technology Sydney, said technical and legal hurdles were making it extremely difficult for community projects to go ahead.

Read the ABC story - “Local renewable energy projects being stifled by red tape, consumer advocates say.”