COMMUNITY & CHARITY
RES encourages staff to share their skills and knowledge outside work and we support a number of charitable, voluntary and educational initiatives. All our projects go through extensive community consultation to ensure that they bring benefits to local people and businesses and we are proud of the positive relationship we enjoy with the public as a result.
Supporting communities near our projects
There are many ways in which local communities benefit from having a renewable energy project in their area, such as jobs, stimulation of the local economy, revenue from business rates and direct support through community funds and sponsorship that can help finance local community projects. For example, the Alexandra Dock Biomass Power Station will create additional revenue for the Port of Liverpool, helping to secure its economic future and diversified growth plans, and will provide jobs during construction and operation of the plant. In addition, we are planning a community fund (see below).
During the consultation process when we are developing a renewable energy project, we provide information on the project and seek local residents' views in a number of ways, such as local exhibitions, newsletters and meetings.
If you're a member of a group such as the Scouts, Guides, WI, Roundtable, Rotary, etc., or work for a local company, and would like us to come and give you a presentation on the Alexandra Dock Biomass Power Station, please contact us.
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Alexandra Dock Biomass Power Station Community Fund
RES is particularly keen to see the entire local community benefit from the biomass power station in a direct and tangible way. In order for the local community to benefit directly from the power station, we plan to create a community fund. The Fund will be independently run and the local community will decide how it is managed and spent. This is something on which we will be consulting in the coming weeks and months.
This money (an annual payment for the lifetime of the power station) could be managed by an existing charitable trust or community council (or group of community councils), or an entirely new independent trust could be set up. The precise mechanism will be identified through consultation as the project moves forward. We generally prefer that the money is used to bring local social and environmental benefits (such as energy efficiency improvements), but ultimately this will be down to the local community to decide. The people who benefit the most from the fund should be those living closest to the power station.
Charity
RES offices worldwide raise money for national and local charities selected annually by staff. These activities are often employee-led and community-based.
Education
RES is committed to supporting educational initiatives that increase awareness about renewable energy and the environment and that develop skills and knowledge.
RES has sponsored and supported a number of educational schemes such as the Energy Engineering Scheme run by the Royal Academy of Engineering and the Atlantic Rising Project. The Educational Facility at the RES Group's award-winning low-emission headquarters in Hertfordshire hosts regular visits from schoolchildren, university students, community groups and professionals.
RES can offer support to local schools in a number of ways, including careers advice, resources, and staff for projects on energy and climate change. If your school is interested in developing links, please contact us.
