LOCALS are invited to find out more about community-owned solar energy projects in the Forest at a drop-in event this week.

The district council and partners from the Centre for Sustainable Energy in Bristol are hosting the event tomorrow (Thursday, December 1) at Oxenhall Parish Hall, near Newent, from 3-7pm.

Last year, the council successfully secured funding as part of the European-led AURORA Project to support community decarbonisation, and to set-up the Forest Energy Community Initiative.

This will see members of the council and partners at CSE work directly with communities to reduce their carbon emissions, and to establish a community solar scheme through a community energy initiative.

The project’s first community-owned solar scheme was set up earlier this year in partnership with Freedom Leisure and The Dean Academy in Lydney.

Cabinet member for communities and climate emergency Cllr Paul Hiett said: “This is the second Forest Energy Community drop-in event that we’re hosting and it was fantastic to see that so many people attended and indicated their interest in the project at the first event.

“The drop-in event will discuss the community owned solar energy projects we have ongoing at the school and leisure centre in Lydney, as well as helping people to find out how they can get involved in the initiative and help take this to the next level.”