Bath & West Community Energy (BWCE) is a not-for-profit Community Benefit Society

Established in June 2010, following discussions between members of local community groups, Transition Bath and Transition Corsham

Owned and run by our members (including members of this community) for the benefit of the community.

Covering Bath & North East Somerset and parts of Wiltshire and South Gloucestershire that border B&NES (see map below).

Developed enough community solar to match the annual demand from over 4,000 typical homes.

Currently developing community energy projects in a number of parishes.

We’re working to put people at the heart of the energy transition, placing ownership and control of energy in local hands via clean energy projects that actively involve and benefit communities in the Bath and surrounding area.

Our Community Energy Model

Clean Local Energy.
We build renewable energy generating projects e.g. rooftop solar, ground mounted solar arrays.

Community Owned.
We raise funds to build the projects through local people investing money in us and becoming members.

For Community Benefit.
As a community benefit society we re-invest surplus income in community projects through our independent Community Fund.

 

 

Community energy refers to the delivery of community-led renewable energy, energy demand reduction and energy supply projects, whether wholly owned and/or controlled by communities or through a partnership with commercial or public sector partners.’ 

There are over 400 community energy organisations in the UK.

BWCE is one of the most experienced.

 

Our Structure

As a Community Benefit Society we are primarily for the benefit of the community at large, rather than just for our members. For example, you don’t need to be a member to apply to our Community Fund.

Anyone over 16 can become a member through a minimum shareholding of £100.

We have democratic decision-making through one member one vote.

We pay interest on members’ share capital, but cannot distribute surpluses to members in the form of dividends.

We are governed by an experienced and highly skilled board of volunteer directors, elected from the membership, and a paid Managing Director.

We are managed day to day by the Managing Director supported by a six strong staff team.

BWCE is registered with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Our registration number is 30960R