Sussex-based community benefit society Energise Sussex Coast (ESC) is delighted to announce it is among those shortlisted for the Community Energy Initiative Award at Regen’s Green Energy Awards 2023.
The Community Energy Initiative Award recognises the role of inspiring community energy groups across the UK supporting the transition to a more democratic and decentralised energy system.
Energise Sussex Coast has been tackling fuel poverty for over a decade, helping an estimated 10,000 residents and saving them an average of £409 each year on their bills. Last year alone they helped save £560,000 across 860 households.
Since its inception Energise Sussex Coast has raised £1.1m of external grant funding to spend on fuel poverty mitigation, generating £10.2m in social outcomes in return. It co-founded the Schools Energy Co-op which has raised £4m in community shares and installed solar on a hundred schools as well as Salisbury Cathedral – powering four megawatts of solar panels.
In 2019 it set up another co-op Energise South to install community owned renewable energy, and to use the surplus to tackle energy injustice and improve energy efficiency for local homes and businesses. Energise South has so far raised £0.8m to install almost one megawatt of solar across ten sites.
Having just received funding from both the National Lottery Community Fund and Warm this Winter campaign, and having recently won the Fuel Poverty Action Award at Community Energy Award, Energise Sussex Coast is excited about what the future holds for the people and communities it works with.
ESC Director Kate Meakin shared:
“We know we’re all in the midst of an incredibly difficult energy and cost of living crisis, but there are very real things we can do to make a difference and improve people’s lives. We’re proud to be working with our local communities, empowering them to take back control of their energy usage and to build a brighter future for themselves and our planet. We’re honoured that the work we’re doing is being recognised, and are delighted to have the funding we need to expand our work and help more people”.
The Green Energy Awards are a leading national celebration of pioneering innovation and sustainable development for the UK’s energy system. Out of more than 120 entries submitted this year by companies, communities and individuals across the UK, 29 were shortlisted for their outstanding efforts in transforming the UK energy sector across six award categories.
Merlin Hyman, chief executive, Regen, said:
“Now in their twentieth year, The Green Energy Awards recognise the pioneering people and projects leading the UK’s transition to net zero energy. Decarbonising our energy system is a major challenge but the inspiring achievements of all the nominees provide optimism that it is achievable.”
You can find out more about the awards and the shortlisted nominees online here.
About Energise Sussex Coast
Energise Sussex Coast is a community benefit co-operative. Our mission is to act co-operatively to tackle the climate crisis and energy injustice through community owned renewable power and energy saving schemes.
About Regen – Regen is an independent centre of energy expertise with a mission to accelerate the transition to a zero-carbon energy system. We are leading strategists on the pathway to a zero carbon energy system, focused on analysing the systemic challenges of decarbonising power, heat and transport.