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12 | 14th - 20th February 2014 | utILIty WeeK Investigation: Community energy Investigation W hen David Green launched the Ecoisland Energy Services Com- pany in June 2013, it was not about smart technology or solar panels – although they had their role. As he told a buoyant crowd on the House of Commons terrace, it was nothing less than a community on the Isle of Wight "taking its destiny back". He had been selling the dream of a self- sufficient island for two years and it was time to "put rubber on the road". It was just the kind of scheme the gov- ernment is seeking to encourage across the country following the publication of its first community energy strategy last month. With trust in energy companies at an all-time low, the idea of people taking power into their own hands has broad appeal. This particular green dream was to end in tragedy and ruin, however. Green's optimism masked a serious problem: there was no money coming in. Just four months aer the launch of the energy services company, he was arrested on suspicion of fraud because the Ecoisland Partnership community inter- est company (CIC) had collapsed owing the council £120,000. Unable to face the shame, he took his own life. Green took on the Ecoisland project in February 2011, wanting to sink his teeth into something new aer 16 years heading a local sailing charity. The Isle of Wight Council had originally championed the concept, with the goal of making the island carbon neu- tral by 2020, before letting it drop for lack of resources. Under Green's leadership, Ecoisland made a lot of noise. At its height, it employed five people at the Ecoisland "Hub". Green promoted the vision to government minis- ters, technology companies and journalists. John Hayes MP, then energy minister, gave the keynote address at a "Global Ecoislands Summit". Corporate partners chipped in £2 million-worth of "sweat equity" – unpaid consultancy and research and development work. SSE set up a community energy tariff to support Ecoisland's work, which was per- sonally endorsed by then chief executive Ian Marchant. In 2012, Ecoisland picked up Best Commu- nity Initiative at the Climate Week Awards, while Green was recognised personally at the Business Green Leaders Awards and named one of EDF Energy's 11 Team Green Britain Heroes in advance of the Olympic Games. EDF even lent him an electric Mini to try out its new charging points on the island. In the autumn of that year came the first signs of trouble. Rumours were already cir- culating locally about suppliers not getting paid. The same month Ecoisland drew visi- tors from Tobago and Denmark, company data providers Creditsafe dropped the CIC's rating to 15 out of 100 and posted a warning notice: "Credit at your discretion." Meanwhile, companies that paid a mod- est subscription to be members of the part- nership started walking away. Logos on the website gradually disappeared. It became apparent that no amount of "sweat equity" was enough to finance five employees. First operations manager Joni Rhodes then vice president Jeremy Waitt quit in early 2013, leaving only the two most junior members of staff. Waitt's involvement is recorded in council minutes and local press stories – he has expunged the role from his LinkedIn profile. Shortage of cash aside, it is not clear the "community" element of the project was all there. There were any number of local dignitaries wishing Ecoisland well, but oth- ers involved in environmental work on the island say true grassroots engagement was missing. Ray Harrington-Vail, founding member of island charity the Footprint Trust, tells Util- ity Week: "It was called a partnership but it was not a partnership. With David, it was just constant press releases, lots of lovely promises and strategies and very little to see for it." At the Footprint Trust, Harrington-Vail No man is an island David Green was the charismatic visionary behind Ecoisland, an attempt to turn the Isle of Wight into a sustainable paradise. But when it came crashing down, tragedy ensued. By Megan Darby. David Green launched the Ecoisland Partnership CIC with much fanfare but without a solid business plan or sufficient funding. When it collapsed less than three years later with debts of £400,000 he took his own life. Photo: Isle of Wight County Press