Our Story

We are a successful community owned business that develops renewable energy projects, runs innovative energy demand programmes and provides local community benefit.

We were established in 2010 with the aim of creating a financially sustainable community business delivering renewable energy projects via a not-for-profit community energy model. Through rooftop solar schemes and ground mounted solar arrays we have installed enough renewable energy to match the annual equivalent demand from 4,500 homes.

Our BWCE Fund  recycles surplus income from energy generation to community projects reducing carbon emissions and we run innovation projects exploring how we can better manage energy demand.

Our vision is for an energy system where local people can buy low-cost, clean energy direct from local energy projects owned and shaped by their communities.

What We do

Who We Are

Our committed and experienced team has a diverse range of expertise. We hold a firm belief in the importance of community energy and the power it has to address climate change, support local communities and generate economic benefit.

Meet the full team

Our Key Aims

Renewable Energy

We have a growing portfolio of rooftop solar and ground mounted solar arrays, have installed one small hydro scheme and plan to develop other renewables.

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Energy Demand Management

We run projects to help householders use energy more efficiently and flexibly to better match demand to when renewables are generating.

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Community Benefit

We distribute surplus income to community projects via our BWCE Fund, support local suppliers and collaborate with other local organisations to achieve community benefit.

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Solar Roof Spotting

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Our Achievements

Bath & West Community Energy was established in 2010 by members of Transition Bath and Transition Corsham.

Since then we have built a financially sustainable community enterprise delivering both renewable energy generation projects and energy demand innovation projects. We have set up an independent charity to distribute surplus income as grants to local community carbon reduction and fuel poverty projects and have paid a fair return on member shares over the last seven years plus the interest due on the three different bonds we have issued. In addition we have helped other community enterprises to asset up and fundraise to install renewables.

13.35MW

A total of 13.35 MW of renewable generating capacity installed, enough to match the equivalent annual electricity demand from 4,500 households.

35 renewable projects

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

£22.5 Million Raised

Raised a total of £22.5 million  – £12.5 million through community shares and bonds and £10 million through commercial loans.

3,300 tonnes per year

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

£380,000 donated

Donated £380,000 to the BWCE Fund and other organisations to support projects reducing carbon emissions and combating fuel poverty.

91 grants

Awarded 91 grants to 57 community organisations through the BWCE Fund since 2015

13.2MW

To date, we have installed a total of 13.2 MW of renewables capacity, generating enough to match the equivalent annual electricity demand from 4,500 households.

21 Roof Solar Systems

Including 21 roof mounted solar PV systems (16 schools and five other community buildings), five ground mounted solar PV systems and one hydro scheme.

£21.2 Million Raised

Raised a total of £21.2 million  – £11.2 million through community shares and bonds and £10 million through commercial loans.

3,000 tones per year

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

£300,000 support

Distributed nearly £300,000 to support local community carbon reduction and fuel poverty projects via our independent BWCE Fund.

£850,000 in grants

Secured £850,000 in grant funding to develop new renewables and deliver energy demand management projects.