A NEW co-operative fund has been set up to encourage the development of renewable energy schemes in Herefordshire.

Co-operative FiRE, a £780,000 rolling fund, is a joint initiative between Advantage West Midlands (AWM) and community energy experts Energy4All.

The programme will provide help for villages and towns in Herefordshire and neighbouring counties to develop wind energy, hy-dropower, anaerobic digestion and biomass fields.

Peter Pawsey, executive chair of AWM’s Rural Regeneration Zone, said: “This is about giving communities the opportunity to drive the agenda and the overall idea is that these co-ops will be able to re-invest part of their profits on new projects.”

Groups interested in taking part in Co-operative FiRE can contact 0845 373 3612 or visit coopfire.coop