The History of Energy in CPR

Fuel poverty and fuel security are both topics that concern many individuals and organisations in Cornwall. Finding answers for long term sustainable energy is part of the work that Aspire is contributing to this community. Some of these might seem quite innovative, such as the idea to develop an Energy Services Company to generate, supply and sell electricity and heat locally, but Cornwall’s led the way in technological innovation before.

Early Energy Technology in Cornwall

Cornish tin and copper once dominated global supply; this wasn’t just because there happened to be a great deal of it beneath Cornwall, but because ornwall also led the way in steam and associated engineering. In fact many of the industrial revolution’s key innovations were pioneered in this county, as was the UK’s first wind turbine (Redruth, 1890) and the first commercial wind farm (Delabole,1991). There was even a local energy supply company (ESCo) in Camborne in1899.

The Cornwall Electric Power Company - copy by kind permission of Cornish Studies Library Redruth

The ESCo, (known as CEP!) generated electricity by steam power at Carn Brea from 1902 to 1911 in addition to the main coal fired power station at Hayle, which generated 94Mw from the mid 1960's until its closure in 1976. The remaining grid infrastructure at this site is part of the reason why the Wave Hub is being constructed off Hayle.

Cornwall Electric Power, operating in Camborne Pool and Redruth during early 1900's until the nationalisation of power - photo by kind permission of South Western Electricity Historical Society

If you are interested to find out more about the history of energy supplies in Cornwall, visit the South Western Electricity Historical Society website for more information.

An ESCo, or Energy Services Company for CPR

There are strong possibilities of developing a new ESCo to serve some development and community areas, particularly initially in Pool. This ESCo would generate, manage and supply business and domestic customers with energy and/or heat which is both generated and distributed locally. The technical and legal work to successfully develop and deliver an ESCo for CPR is complex and ongoing, but has been done successfully in other areas of the UK. More information will available during the course of 2008, and there will of course, be further consultation and exhibition displays as part of the Aspire work in this community.

So we’ve been local leaders before; for the long-term future of our local economy, as well as our environment and our people it’s a status we urgently need to regain.