This is such a key time for us to accelerate the generation of renewable energy, and take action in reducing carbon, meet some of the dedicated and talented women within BWCE who are driving this work.
Meet Alison Turnbull – Head of Innovation & Asset Management
What is your role within BWCE? In a nutshell I look for innovative ways to develop and use our renewable generation assets – currently solar farms and rooftop solar schemes on schools and community buildings, to ensure they are working at optimum performance. This benefits the building owners hosting the solar panels because they enjoy greater more cost savings from the lower-priced clean electricity, whilst providing BWCE with maximum revenue generation from the electricity sales. And as a not-for-profit community business, the more surplus we generate the more money is invested into the BWCE Community Fund, which benefits local community projects working to reduce carbon, reduce waste or support people in fuel poverty.
What led you to this role? I’ve always been interested in making the best use of resources to meet our needs but not at the expense of our ‘home’. Working in the development of renewable energy, and one that is firmly community focused too, will help deliver our needs on so many levels – secure, locally generated green power tackling climate change, additional income to landowners whilst improving biodiversity, keeping benefits within the local community.
What do you enjoy most about your work? No two days are the same! The Innovation aspect of my work is intellectually challenging and co-ordinating the maintenance work to ensure we get the best output is rewarding. I have a calm head so can handle the thankfully rare occasions when there is a technical issue which could compromise generation, and this keeps the work interesting!
Do you feel you make a difference? – Absolutely! It is very rewarding to know that you have helped to bring about new renewable generation and are helping to tackle climate change by supplying the grid with clean, green electricity.
What advice would you give your younger self? Pursue a job or role that piques your interest and one where you can see a path to follow and make your own if possible.
I’ve always been interested in making the best use of resources to meet our needs
Meet Cathy Crozier-Cole, Home Energy Service Manager
What is your role within BWCE? I lead the development and running of our Home Energy Service (Bath & West Community Energy – Home Energy). Our aim is to offer an independent hub of local, expert advice and support for warm, efficient, low carbon homes in our community.
What led you to this role? I’ve always been passionate about energy, as a teenager (in the late 1980’s) I knew I wanted to work in renewable energy, there wasn’t much renewable energy around then! I asked my Mum to take me from Norwich to Carmarthen Bay in Wales when I was 16 to visit one of the UK’s very first wind turbines! I studied Engineering at University, and then did a Masters in Renewable Energy, before joining charity Forum for the Future, and then working as an energy consultant, mainly on energy policy issues. Around twenty years ago, when I had my first child, I found myself spending more time at home. I got really interested in how we can decarbonise the energy used in our homes, and found my calling for making our homes ‘fit for the future’. It’s really interesting how women often become key decision makers in the home and think if we want to see more energy efficiency uptake nationally, then the whole sector needs to get good at communicating with women.
What do you enjoy most about your work? Every home and household are unique. Having a warm home that’s affordable to run and comfortable to live in – as well as being low carbon – can make a huge difference to someone’s life. I love helping people make sense of what can often seem a complicated maze of technical options.
Do you feel you make a difference? We launched BWCE Home Energy service last September, and so far the team have delivered home energy surveys to over 120 householders in our local area, from small flats to 6-storey listed buildings. The feedback has been positive and people are starting to install measures to their homes as a result of our advice and support.
What advice would you give your younger self? Believe in your dreams! Being a young female engineer in the 90’s meant I was in the minority, which sometimes wasn’t easy – but I’d tell myself to hang on in there and go for it anyway! The world needs all of our skills and perspectives to solve its big challenges, and I’m so grateful to all the inspiring women who’ve been role models and encouraged me along the way.
Having a warm home that’s affordable to run and comfortable to live in – as well as being low carbon – can make a huge difference to someone’s life.
Meet Sara Grimes, Head of Community Business Development
What is your role with BWCE? I find new opportunities and resources for the community energy transition.
What led you to this role? My background is in community organising in America, and UK local government. I was fortunate to participate in amazing social change made possible by groups of ordinary people working together; from protecting national forests and wild places, to witnessing the public demand for councils to declare a climate emergency and being part of the council’s response.
What do you enjoy most about your work? I enjoy being in a team of people who are all working towards the same goal.
Do you feel you make a difference? Yes definitely! Not only through physical changes such as energy saving or renewable energy, but also the effect community energy has on how people understand the energy transition and their role within it.
What advice would you give your younger self? I would tell myself that I am not alone in taking action, but part of a huge global effort alongside millions of others working towards a better way for people to live together and with the rest of life on earth. So to make sure to take time to have fun!
I enjoy being in a team of people who are all working towards the same goal
Meet Eve Aston-Davies, Renewable Energy Project Developer
What is your role with BWCE? I joined BWCE two years ago and work in the asset development team. My role involves growing BWCE’s renewable energy generation portfolio, focusing on rooftop solar and ground-mount solar and investigating the prospects of wind turbines and battery schemes. Projects like these can’t be completed by BWCE alone – they begin with local investment, and along the way include liaison with the site, legal teams, department for education, local councils, scaffolders, installers, electricians, storage and delivery teams, and asset management post-installation. I see these projects from start to finish, from finding the sites, through development and to final commissioning. Coordinating all of these can be challenging, and there are inevitably complications in every project, but once the project has been installed and commissioned, it is all worth it.
What led you to your role? I first became aware of BWCE whilst I was leading an event for my local Greenpeace group – we had invited BWCE to be part of a panel discussion on the cost-of-living crisis and its links to the climate crisis. I felt inspired by BWCE’s determination and what they were doing to help local businesses, schools and community buildings. Coming from a Geography background, working with Bath & West Community Energy has given me the opportunity to take direct action in tackling climate change.
Do you feel you make a difference? Overall BWCE projects generate 14.49 MW of renewable generating capacity, the equivalent demand from 5,000 households. Since 2021 BWCE have Installed over 2MW of rooftop solar projects at no capital cost to the sites involved. The Community Energy projects have saved local schools and businesses tens of thousands of pounds annually through significantly cheaper electricity (of the sites we have installed on over the last 3 years, we estimate to save them more than £1,225,000 in total over the next 25 years) and notably reduced carbon emissions in our local area .I feel very proud to say I am making a difference.
Coming from a Geography background, working with BWCE has given me the opportunity to take direct action in tackling climate change.
Meet Skye Frewin, Renewable Energy Outreach Coordinator
What is your role with BWCE? I support the renewable energy aspect of the Community Energy Network, collaborating with both partners and local communities to identify and develop community-owned energy projects. My role focuses on guiding these projects through the Future Energy Landscapes process, ensuring that communities are at the heart of decision-making. This approach empowers local groups to take ownership of their energy futures, fostering a more sustainable and inclusive energy system.
What led you to your role? I’ve always been passionate about people-centred movements, particularly in the context of climate action and ecological sustainability. This passion has guided my career, leading me to work across community engagement roles within the community energy sector, as well as in charities and educational institutions. Through these experiences, I’ve gained a deep understanding of how empowering communities can drive meaningful change, particularly when it comes to tackling climate change and wanted to use my skills to be a part of this.
What do you enjoy most about your work? The best part of my job is working alongside a team of compassionate, knowledgeable people who share a strong set of values and a genuine passion for community energy. Each day offers something new and what truly excites me is the opportunity to interact with the communities we support and see change happen on the ground.
Do you feel you make a difference? Absolutely. I believe the approach we’re taking is pioneering in many ways. It’s exciting to see how we’re shifting the narrative around energy, giving communities a genuine role in shaping their renewable energy future, rather than being passive recipients. We’re building a new energy system that’s rooted in inclusivity and sustainability—something that will be crucial as we move toward a net-zero future.
What advice would you give your younger self? To focus first on understanding my why, my purpose—what is my drive, what kind of change do I want to make— this will guide you to opportunities where you can make the most impact.
I’ve always being passionate about people-centred movements, particularly in the context of climate action and ecological sustainability.
Meet Anna Høiseth, BWCE Community Engagement Co-ordinator
What is your role within BWCE? To increase our engagement with people in the local communities where we work. For example, this can involve surveying and consulting local people, as well as making sure we understand the concerns of local people. More broadly, my role is to make community engagement a more integral part of our projects from start to finish.
What led you to career in renewables.? My interest in democracy and community engagement started in my school days back in Norway. I was active in local politics and was an elected councillor for a year before I left for Durham to study Philosophy, Politics and Economics. In my work life, I have worked for two big businesses in the South West, Hanson UK and Hargreaves Lansdown. I’ve also worked as an actor and a teacher. Now I’m very lucky to have found a job that combines my interest in politics, people and sustainability.
What do you enjoy most about your work? Engaging with people from different backgrounds and learning about many
What advice would you give your younger self? Take the opportunities that come your way, and don’t worry about having the perfect CV. A variety of experience is a strength and actually allows you to find out what you want from your working life. And as a recovering perfectionist, I often remind myself that it’s better to something imperfectly than to do not do it at all.
I’m so lucky to have found a job that combines my interest in politics, people and sustainability.
