Community Energy Pathways worked with Central Bedfordshire Council to take the first steps to develop the Community Energy Sector in their area and help them reach the targets in their comprehensive Sustainability Plan.
Launched in December 2022, Community Energy Pathways have been engaging with the community to support those interested in or involved in community led renewable energy. In winter 2022/23, we held two online events for the community to find out more about community energy and in spring 2024 held another face-to-face community engagement event in Biggleswade. We offered the extremely skilled people who stepped up, a comprehensive set of training, networking, business development support and leveraged in funding to help them set up an area wide Energy Advice service and to start to develop a pipeline of renewable energy projects.
New community energy groups in Central Bedfordshire
The first group to become incorporated as a Community Benefit Society (CBS) was from the towns and surrounding parishes of Ampthill and Flitwick and is called Greensand Community Energy. They are developing a range of decarbonisation projects with local schools, businesses, and individuals and are looking to grow their Energy Advice offer with the Central Bedfordshire Community Energy Network members.
Next is Buzz Community Energy, forming in Leighton Linslade/Buzzard which includes the Parish of Billington. The team are looking for people with engineering and marketing or comms experience to join their team. They are developing a pipeline of projects starting with an exciting school roof solar project.
And finally, River Ivel Community Energy is the group based along the River Ivel, including Biggleswade, Sandy, Potton, Fairfield and Stotfold. Leading on our National Lottery funded Community Energy People project.
Get involved
You don’t need to be an expert in renewable energy or have a degree in climate science to get involved; you just need to want more grassroots climate action where you live.
If you would like to be part of these groups and to find out more, please email one of the groups in your area: