Surrey County Council (SCC) has teamed up with Community Energy Pathways (CEP) to deliver community energy generation projects across the county.
Together we have supported the creation and mentoring of a new local community benefit society called Surrey Community Energy, made up of local volunteers. This volunteer-led group has appointed 9 directors, registered as a legal entity, as well as with the Financial Conduct Authority (a requirement due to the raising of capital that community energy groups undertake), and has several exciting energy generation projects in the pipeline.
These projects can deliver multiple benefits and opportunities for Surrey's residents, businesses and charities, including:
- Below-grid-price energy for the residents, businesses and charities involved in a project
- The opportunity for ethical investment within Surrey, with an expected annual return on investment plus full capital repayment long term
- Opportunities for upskilling and job creation within the energy sector
- Creation of projects to support SCC's strategic priority of a sustainable economy
- Genuine increased energy security and independence through local energy generation - which cannot be gained from local oil or gas extraction due to the nature of international energy markets
- Reduced residential emissions to help achieve SCC's strategic priority for Surrey's Greener Future
Support Surrey Community Energy
Surrey Community Energy (SCE) already has 9 directors signed up, but still needs plenty of support, and joining the team is a great route to becoming a director if you'd like to join the board.
There are 3 ways you can support SCE:
- Volunteer - SCE has a wide range of roles available, for people with different types of skills, whether or not you have experience in the energy industry. Volunteering in community energy projects can be a great way to upskill and learn new knowledge for a career change into a booming home energy improvement or local energy generation career. Get in touch today.
- Help us find sites - SCE is building a project pipeline, and welcomes site recommendations in line with the criteria listed in the section above. Please complete the site identification form to help us locate suitable project sites.
- Invest - SCE has not yet raised a share offer, but is currently signing up investors based inside or outside Surrey If you're keen to invest in local projects which create energy security, boost the local economy, and provide an annual return, please email info@surreycommunityenergy.org.
We have the experience and expertise of Community Energy Pathways to support the society, so if you are very interested but are worried about a lack of experience, please do email us to chat. Community Energy England was created to spread knowledge and upskill people into energy projects, so remember that many people started in your position.
How community energy projects work
This is a simplified version of how community energy projects provide a win-win collaboration for the stakeholders involved:
SCC and CEP will help a collection of Surrey residents to form a community benefit society (a form of co-op, with either local or UK-wide investors). Surrey Community Energy has shortlisted 4 sites in Surrey, which are currently undergoing modelling, and the most promising of which will soon have full feasibility studies conducted on their potential. We work to accelerate the growth of the community energy sector, supporting communities and local authorities to deliver net zero together. Once feasible sites are agreed, a lease agreement is signed with the landowner / asset holder for £1 per annum. Investment is then invited for equipment and running costs which can be done by the society, or via existing organisations' with a membership of ready and willing investors. The clean energy generated on site is purchased by the occupants using the energy, at a lower-than-grid price. At the end of projects like these, the solar equipment is usually donated to the site. Investors are paid back periodically or at the end of the long-term lease. While investments are at risk, the society will be registered by the Financial Conduct Authority, annual accounts are audited and everyone involved has the right to follow progress, check accounts and hold equal votes. There are several hundred organisations like this across the UK and it's a very collaborative and sharing sector. Everybody wins!
