Supporting the energy transition by using new build developments to create energy enabled communities.

This research investigates how new build developments can be used to support the broader energy transition by creating energy enabled communities. How the design can align and embed the principles of social justice and UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In the context of historical exploitation, and the environmental impacts of industrialisation, this study explores how developments can avoid repeating mistakes, fostering instead inclusive, sustainable, and energy enabled communities.
The study adopts a qualitative, desk-based methodology, combining a systemic review of academic literature, with a proposed development in Backworth, North Tyneside as a case study. A broad range of peer reviewed sources was analysed to identify ethical and sustainable solutions, while the planning application was used to explore the practicality and limitations of implementation.
The research examines the interlinking of climate change, sustainability, and social equity, with a focus on community scale solutions. It assesses how a collective rather than individual approach to energy generation and consumption can support energy independency, lower living costs and promoting social wellbeing. The comparative analysis highlights how design choices and the developers’ values can shape the outcomes.
The findings support a transition model that balances national grid infrastructure with a decentralised energy system. The research concludes that energy enabled communities are possible, if the developers are guided by long term values rather than short term profits. These can promote social inclusion, economic resilience, and environmental stewardship.
Recommendations are offered for developers, policymakers and stakeholders to support the scalable implementation of energy enabled communities in alignment with the SDGs and social justice principles.