Our Changeprint
Ourt Changeprint can be measured by the monthly and annual saving on energy bills that our projects achieve; tonnes of CO2 emissions avoided each year through energy efficiency and clean generation (based on each property's energy use); total funds raised through share offers and number of local investors engaged; and the number of households receiving free energy advice or improvements.
Our story
Brighton and Hove Energy Services Co-op (BHESCo) are a not-for-profit social enterprise who are dedicated to helping homeowners, schools and businesses in Sussex to meet their daily needs with low-cost, low-carbon energy.
Since 2015, BHESCo has completed more than 50 projects which reduce energy costs and carbon emissions for their customers. We estimate that over the course of their lifetime these projects will reduce CO2 emissions by 5,478 tonnes, which is the same environmental impact as avoiding 6,040 flights from London to New York.
In addition to the obvious environmental benefits of these projects, we estimate that customers stand to save nearly £2 million collectively on their energy costs by producing their own clean energy and by improving the energy efficiency of their buildings.
All of BHESCo's projects are completed at no upfront cost to customers using what we call a 'Pay As You Save' finance model. What this means is that BHESCo installs a brand new energy-saving or generating technologies on behalf of our customers, who then repay the upfront cost over a number of years using a portion of the savings achieved in their monthly energy bill. In this way, everyone can take action on climate change without the obstacles of prohibitive costs or a lack of technical expertise.
To finance the initial cost of projects, BHESCo raises money through a community share offer. Residents from across the UK are invited to become investors in the co-operative in return for a 5% annual interest rate and a say in how the co-operative is run.
Since our first share offer in June 2015, BHESCo has successfully raised over £1 million in this way and now have more than 300 shareholder members.
As well as activities within the 'able to pay' market, BHESCo also does a great amount of work tackling fuel poverty in Brighton and Hove. Since it was first launched in January 2016, BHESCo has delivered free home energy improvement surveys to more than 650 local residents who struggle to heat their home.
Each winter, BHESCo also runs outreach events for food banks, job centres and other community groups around the city, providing free advice on switching and fuel benefits. We have advised more than 2,000 residents in the last five years, achieving combined savings of £194,138 for some of Brighton and Hove's most low-income residents.
Our advice
Engaging the support and co-operation of trusted community leaders is integral to stakeholder buy-in, e.g. faith leaders, Councillors, MPs, headteachers, etc.
It's easier for people to say no and remain with the status quo. You have to make your offer so compelling that "no" is not an option.
The long-term financial savings to be achieved from low-carbon energy projects are often more appealing to stakeholders than the potential carbon savings.
Navigating the bureaucracy of DNOs and local building application requirements can be challenging and technical.
It is vital to engage with and mitigate the concerns of all stakeholders who will be affected by your community energy project.
