In recent years, leading commercial project developers have taken various different approaches towards engaging communities.

The REA is a member of the Shared Ownership Taskforce, which was established to develop a voluntary framework to guide shared ownership with communities of commercial renewable electricity projects. The Taskforce's final Report to Government was published on 31 October 2014 [1].

In recent years, leading commercial project developers have taken various different approaches towards engaging communities. Offering community groups the opportunity of becoming financial stakeholders in projects is very new in the UK. This new voluntary protocol encourages project developers to go down this route where feasible.

REA Community Engagement Advisor Gaynor Hartnell said:

"Owning some of the turbines or panels in a wind farm or solar project may not appeal to all communities, but when the opportunity arises it should be seized as it can be hugely beneficial to all parties. It is important commercial project developers respond to this initiative as regulations will be introduced if it remains business as usual."