THE hunt is on for a group or organisation to help develop community energy in Carlisle, as part of Electricity North West's pledge to lead the north-west to Net Zero.

The community energy group will own and manage a new solar panel system being installed at the operator’s Nelson Street depot.

Once developed, the organisation will finance, own and operate the panels for the lifetime of the installation, and any profits generated can be invested for the social or environmental benefit of the community.

Helen Seagrave, community energy manager at Electricity North West, said: “We work hard to support community energy groups who generate their own low carbon electricity and this is a new way of doing things for the benefit of the community.

“We’ve now got a unique opportunity for a local group to own and operate a solar installation.

“This will be the first time we’ve done anything like this and if it’s a success then it’s something that we’ll look to roll out across the region.”

The new system is a first for the network operator as it looks to continue rolling out more innovative opportunities in Cumbria as it leads the way to Net Zero.

For more information or to register interest email communityandlocalenergy@enwl.co.uk.