Co-ops
What is a Co-op or Cooperative? A Cooperative is a business organization owned and democratically operated by a group of individuals for their mutual benefit.
The Ontario Sustainable Energy Association defines community power as:
- Locally owned
- Distributed generation
- Low-impact renewable energy
- Accessible to local participants
- Democratically controlled by local members
- Viable economically
- Locally sited
- Locally viable
- Locally developed
A Co-op is one means of ownership that has worked incredibly well for the generation of Renewable Energy around the world. Specifically, in Denmark, of all the wind electricty generation (about 20%), approximately 80% is owned by co-ops, communities and individuals. And as Denmark’s economy has grown, their energy consumption has not.
Renewable Energy Co-op Examples:
Peace Energy Cooparative (in BC)
Pukwis Energy Coop (Ontario)
Vancouver Renewable Energy Coop (BC)
WindShare (Ontario)
SEE ALSO:
Coop & Community Wind articles written by Paul Gipe
Putting Power Back into the Hands of Albertans
In Alberta there are no known co-operatives generating energy at this time.
We have the potential for community owned and profitable renewable energy initiatives. Renewable energy inherently promotes a decentralized system of power: the power of energy and the power of the people.
There are many opportunities to form a distributed green and just energy economy.
Albertans are independent and spirited entrepreneurs. Individuals and local communities have a prime opportunity to benefit directly from generating their own renewable energy, and literally putting power into their own hands. The Feed-in-Tariff policy, adopted in Ontario and around the world, ensures investment, growth and revenue for renewable energy producers.
"Alberta has the largest network of electricity distribution co-operatives in Canada. There are approximately 50 Rural Electrification Associations (REAs). These fall under two types: seven self-operating REAs and those thaATCO or FORTIS. The self-operating distribution co-operatives could conceivably move in to generation at some point. One major barrier to this is the huge initial capital outlay for the membership/co-operatives. As a result, this line of action does not seem likely without policies specifically targeted to supporting community based power generation. However, there are other ways that the REAs could contribute", addressed further in:
Community Wind in Alberta (pdf) Status of Social Economy Provision of Wind Electric Energy in Alberta, Julie MacArthur, BALTA B6 Researcher, January 4, 2010
Partnerships
Piikani First Nation
A single 900 kW wind turbine is owned and operated by Piikani First Nation in partnership with EPCOR. (Pembina's Aboriginal Energy Alternatives, 2008 - pdf)
