OUR COMMUNITY
OUR PLANET

What is Community Energy?

Community energy offers an opportunity to challenge our assumptions about energy by encouraging us as individuals and communities to take greater control over generating clean, local energy and reducing our demand on the energy system.

Community ownership.
Local benefit.

The Community Energy model is radically different from commercial operations. Members and the local community have a say in how things happen, share in the benefits and have a sense of pride and connection with the business outcomes.

Key stats

14.49MW capacity

Our projects have the annual generating capacity to power the equivalent of 5,000 homes. 

38 Projects

32 rooftop solar PV systems (schools and other buildings), 5 ground mounted solar arrays and 1 hydro scheme.  

£23.7M invested

Raised a total of £23.7 million – £13.7 million through community shares and bonds and £10 million through commercial loans.

3,300 TOnnes

Reduced CO₂ by an average of 3,300 tonnes per year. 

£430k donated

Donated to the BWCE Fund to support local community projects reducing carbon emissions and combating fuel poverty.

111+ Grants

Awarded to 64 community organisations through the BWCE Fund since 2015.

Our area of benefit

We’re a passionate, experienced team with a diverse range of expertise, committed to creating a greener future.

Our vision for a new energy system

REDUCED BILLS, REDUCED CARBON

Helping the community reduce fuel bills and drive down their carbon footprint.

community WIDE BENEFITS

We provide local employment and grants for community projects.

Energy Efficient homes

We support householders in creating more comfortable and energy efficient homes and help alleviate fuel poverty.

Power generated locally

We place ownership and control of renewable energy in the hands of local people.

IncreaseD SUPPORT for Community renewables

We believe that The Future Of Energy Is Local.

Our operational partners

We’ve established long-term partnerships with a select group of expert companies, working together toward a zero-carbon future.

  • Bright Renewables is a community owned asset manager with 83MW of renewable electricity capacity under management. BWCE is one of Bright Renewables’ founding members and owners.

    Bright Renewables manage BWCE’s renewable energy projects once they are installed, ensuring they are regularly maintained and operate efficiently.

  • External Services provides specialist support services to a number of sectors, including the renewable energy sector.

    External Services provides BWCE with accounting, payroll and HR support.

  • Ethex provides an online marketplace for positive investment and specialises in community offers. BWCE has run multiple fundraisers through Ethex in the past.

    Currently Ethex is managing BWCE’s bond register for all bonds issued in 2017.

  • Abundance Investment is one of the UK’s leading green investment platforms. They have spent well over a decade offering direct investments into companies and councils, and have over 8,000 investors. They were founded on the belief that everyone should have the choice to invest their money into real green projects that actually help create a greener future – regardless of whether you have £5 or £500,000 spare to invest.

    Currently Abundance is managing the BWCE bond’s register for all bonds issued in 2025.

  • Empowered is a zero-carbon consultancy committed to the development of community energy projects, donating 5% of its profits to BWCE.

    Empowered provides BWCE with renewable energy project development services, and staff members work as part of the BWCE team.

  • Neville Registrars provides share registration services for a wide range of clients.

    Neville Registrars manage BWCE’s share register and bond register for all bonds issued in 2016.