Energy Services Coop

Community owned renewable energy

Facilitated by: Howard Johns

Present: Chris Rowland, Dirk Campbell, Kate Hamilton, Mike Jones, Susan Murray, David Harvey, Mike Greaville, Emma Bloom, Liz Mandeville, Alex Penn, Janet Mortimer, Ann Cross, Wendy S.

In this group we discussed ideas around developing our own renewable energy projects for the community and the possibility of setting up a locally owned, not-for-profit energy services company to deliver a wide range of energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. Rather than focusing solely on large scale generation projects which would require considerable capital and expertise, it seems prudent to start with measures that are immediately achieveable for a low cost.

An energy services company could take the form of an Industrial and Provident Society for community benefit. This structure would mean that people from across the community, regardless of means would be able to have ownership of said company through its unique share issue system and could benefit from any work that it carried out. Shares in the company could be sold for as little as £1 and once owning a share, people would be able to access any services the company provides. This share would also give them a vote at the AGM of the company.

Opportunities for development of projects are wide ranging in size and scope and include the following:

  • Bulk purchase of electricity from an existing renewable electricity provider and resale to members of the company to generate some income
  • Tendering to run a solar grant scheme for Lewes District Council
  • Surveying energy efficiency of member’s existing buildings to assess the best possible steps to reduce energy consumption
  • Sourcing funding to provide insulation/efficiency measures for members
  • Providing funding for small scale renewable energy such as solar panels for members in conjunction with exisiting schemes
  • Investigating larger scale projects for local energy generation such as community owned wind turbines, tidal and river current turbines, coppice wood projects, sewage and gas projects and large scale solar farm projects

Possible sources of funding for this new company:

  • Community subscription
  • Carbon Trust
  • Energy Savings Trust
  • Electricity companies, under the Energy Efficiency commitment
  • Grants from local councils
  • Grants from charitable organisations

Next Achievable Steps:

  • Form TTL Energy group
  • Develop a format for such a company
  • Register a legal structure
  • Hold a public meeting to launch the idea to the community

Get involved: contact hello [at] TransitionTownLewes.org.uk