Community Energy Pathways (CEP), a not-for-profit community energy social enterprise, has today been awarded the King’s Award for Sustainable Enterprise. CEP will receive the award at a Royal reception next month for empowering local communities to swiftly deliver locally owned, low-carbon energy and reduce their energy bills.
CEP works with local authorities and community energy groups to support local people to reduce energy use, without impacting their day-to-day lives, and generate low carbon heat and power for their homes and buildings.
CEP provides support for local authorities aiming to decarbonise energy in their local area and support residents. The collaborative approach is vital in a challenging landscape for local authorities, with more than two-thirds (67%) of councils not confident in hitting their Net Zero targets according to polling from the Local Government Association (LGA)[1].
Last week, the LGA also released a report recommending that existing supply licence exemptions are reviewed to make it easier for councils and community groups to operate energy projects without needing a full supply licence[2].
Community energy is designed to bring local people together to deliver community-led and owned renewable energy projects, as well as to advise communities on how they can be more energy efficient. Projects can range from smaller scale solar panels on local buildings and homes to communities securing shared ownership of larger renewable energy projects in the local area.
Community energy projects enjoy far more support from the public than privately-owned projects according to polling by Common Wealth[3]. The research reveals that 62% of the public would support a community-owned renewable energy project in their area, compared to 40% support for a privately-owned project, demonstrating the vast potential of community energy to accelerate low-carbon energy projects and deliver cheaper energy bills.
CEP works with community energy groups and local authorities to support local people and create job opportunities for Energy Champions, a role to help people understand how they can improve their homes and buildings and spend less money on energy while helping the environment.
CEP has supported over 60 community energy groups across 15 different counties and towns. Last year, CEP secured £1 million funding from UK Power Networks to help expand the work of up to 20 new community energy groups with the aim of reaching 20,000 people and conducting over 1200 in-person home visits[4].
Ollie Pendered, CEO of CEP, said:
“As a local authority, raising funds to deliver better lives for communities can be difficult – especially in the current economic climate. We support local authorities to help people be smarter with their energy, reduce their energy bills, and decarbonise their energy, all while creating local job opportunities.
“We’re over the moon to receive the King’s Award for Sustainable Enterprise, and we want this to be a catalyst to support even more local authorities. Community energy can help local authorities create cheaper, warmer, and safer homes and buildings, and we hope this recognition help promote community energy nationwide, in turn leading to the creation of several more community energy groups.”
Ben McCallan, Engagement Manager in Surrey County Council’s Greener Futures team, said:
“It’s hard to overstate the impact CEP has had in supporting Surrey ventures to scale up and grow over recent years. For example, in 2022, Surrey County Council contracted CEP to mentor 10 community groups and they also secured a funding pot for Zero Carbon Guildford and Energy Action Redhill & Reigate to run the Home Energy Advice Team, which has since supported over 2,000 Surrey households to help them be more energy efficient.
“From the formation of the energy-generation focused community energy group, Surrey Community Energy, through to opportunities for Surrey’s energy groups to liaise with DESNZ and the new GB Energy, CEP’s support has been invaluable. The continued growth of community-led energy groups supporting residents in reducing bills, keeping their homes cosy and free of damp and mould has been catalysed by CEP, in turn creating training and job opportunities, and reducing residential emissions to tackle climate change through local projects.”
[1] https://www.local.gov.uk/about/news/government-urged-get-rid-red-tape-help-councils-act-climate
[2] https://www.local.gov.uk/publications/empowering-local-climate-action-advice-government
[3] https://www.common-wealth.org/publications/the-public-is-enthusiastic-for-community-energy
[4] https://communityenergypathways.org.uk/uk-power-networks-announces-1million-for-community-energy/