Creating a Community Energy Network
What is community energy?
Community energy is about people coming together to reduce their energy use, as well as generating low-carbon heat and power. This may be to tackle climate change, for energy security, or to make energy more affordable.
Community energy has a key role to play in the transition toward regional net zero targets. A key feature of community energy is that all surplus profits are directed towards community benefit and projects.
What is the Hampshire Community Energy Network?
The Hampshire Community Energy Network is a network of eleven community energy and climate action non-profit organisations that are working together to ensure people and communities can be at the heart of the energy transition. Their aim is to support the growth of community energy in Hampshire so that all communities can participate in and benefit from community energy projects and programmes.
The Hampshire Community Energy Network supports projects or schemes that are wholly or partly owned and controlled by the local community, and which have wider community benefit. The network acts collaboratively to support each other and provides opportunities for shared learning and resources.
Supported by Hampshire County Council, Community Energy Pathways has been working to support the development of the community energy sector across Hampshire, resulting in a network of community projects.
What does Hampshire Community Energy Network do?
The nine groups within the network are involved in a variety of Powering Up and Powering Down projects.
Powering Up projects involve developing community-owned energy generation projects such as rooftop solar PV on community buildings. These projects are usually financed through community shares and offer local people the opportunity to invest in local projects.
Powering Down projects provide community-led energy advice services to local households and community organisation to help them reduce energy and save money.
Get involved
There are many ways in which you can get involved in community energy in Hampshire.
Most community energy groups are volunteer-led and are always on the lookout for enthusiastic people to help support their projects and development. Volunteering opportunities could range from marketing and comms support, to providing home energy advice or becoming an energy champion. Contact us to find out more.
Masterclasses and resources
Community Energy South host regular online masterclasses to provide tips on developing community energy, covering subjects such as fundraising, solar panels and more.
View the upcoming masterclasses
There are also plenty of other resources to help you explore setting up community energy projects.
Hampshire community energy groups
Community Energy South are currently working with five community groups in Hampshire to take renewable energy projects from concept to fruition:
Loddon Valley Community Energy, Basingstoke and Deane: The group is developing a pipeline of potential opportunities in the area. It is forming an outreach programme with the Parish Councils to raise awareness of their activity.
Test Source Community Energy, Basingstoke and Deane: The group is approaching the share offer stage for a 350kW solar PV project
Energy Alton, Alton: With CES support the group submitted an application to the Rural Community Energy Fund to look at developing a microgrid at a local cooperative housing group. For more information about the work this group is developing, visit their website
Energise South Downs, Petersfield, Hambledon, South Harting and Buriton: CES are working with the group to develop a brief for a feasibility study. There are several other exciting project opportunities in the pipeline including a microgrid at a new housing development.
Dragonfly Power, Romsey: Transition Romsey are forming a new community energy group in Test Valley, developing a start up plan which highlights potential projects areas, skills gaps, partners and funding opportunities.
