The Community Energy Awards 2024, sponsored by lendology, Triodos Bank and ES Catapult, took place in Bristol on 22 November 2024. Over 150 people gathered to celebrate the trailblazers in community energy.
On this page we have gathered case studies based on all the winners and finalists for the Community Energy Awards 2024 (see below). And some of our award winners were interviewed by our videogapher Lizzie - you can watch the interviews on our YouTube Channel here.
Fuel Poverty Action Award
The Fuel Poverty Action Award celebrates the remarkable contributions of community energy organisations in addressing the multifaceted challenges of fuel poverty and energy efficiency in England.
WINNER: Energise Barnsley
Energise Barnsley is a pioneering community benefit society from Barnsley, South Yorkshire, committed to advancing a just energy transition through free renewable energy installations, reducing fuel poverty, and creating sustainable, community-driven solutions for low-income residents.
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Heart of England Community Energy Ltd.
Heart of England Community Energy Ltd is a not-for-profit community enterprise dedicated to both renewable energy generation and social impact, reinvesting surplus income to address fuel poverty, support vulnerable households, and drive sustainability initiatives across South Warwickshire.
SHORTLISTED FINALISTS:
CREW Energy
For their participation in the South West London Energy Advice Partnership —in collaboration with SGN, Habitats and Heritage - a pioneering initiative tackling fuel poverty across South West London by providing tailored energy advice, efficiency measures, and essential support to vulnerable residents, reducing household expenses and boosting financial resilience.
National Energy Action (NEA)
NEA is the leading national charity tackling fuel poverty across the UK, providing essential support through advocacy, research, and direct assistance, including its impactful Warm and Safe Homes (WASH) service, to help vulnerable households achieve warmth, health, and financial stability.
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Collaboration in Community Energy
This award recognises the most commendable collaboration between a community energy organisation and its partners. The nominated collaboration should demonstrate outstanding efforts in supporting and advancing community energy through partnerships, investments, policy advocacy, or various forms of assistance, which have increased community energy activity or impact.
WINNER: RenewEV and Bath & West Community Energy
Demonstrating the transformative power of partnership in community energy through its collaboration with Bath & West Community Energy (BWCE), resulting in over 2MWp of solar capacity and pioneering a scalable model that enables community groups across the UK to develop impactful renewable energy projects.
SHORTLISTED FINALISTS:
Datblygiadau Egni Gwledig (DEG)
DEG leads the pioneering Cyd Ynni initiative—a collaborative network uniting nine Welsh-speaking communities in North-West Wales—to tackle fuel poverty and create local renewable energy solutions, empowering communities to reduce costs, strengthen resilience, and build a sustainable future.
Community Energy South
Community Energy South has driven forward the "Leaving No One Behind" initiative in partnership with UK Power Networks, empowering 22 community groups across Southeast England to deliver energy-saving support to 20,000 homes and create new local jobs, ensuring an inclusive, community-led transition to Net Zero.
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Advancing Innovation Award - Sponsored by ES Catapult
This award recognises an innovative project, service or business model through which you are adapting rapidly and successfully to doing things differently in the community energy space.
WINNER: Cepro & Bristol Energy Cooperative
Cepro, in partnership with Bristol Energy Cooperative, has pioneered community-owned residential microgrids, integrating solar energy, battery storage, and demand-responsive technology in groundbreaking projects like Hazelmead and Water Lilies, setting a new standard for affordable, net-zero housing across the UK.
SHORTLISTED FINALISTS:
Plymouth Energy Community
Leading the Far South West Consortium LEAD Project, Plymouth Energy Community has pioneered a collaborative, community-led retrofit advice model across Devon and Cornwall, empowering thousands of households with accessible, tailored guidance on energy efficiency upgrades while setting a standard for regional collaboration in sustainable energy services.
Westmill Solar Co-operative & MECISE (Mobilising European Citizens to Invest in Sustainable Energy)
Westmill Solar Co-operative, in collaboration with MECISE, secured a £5 million loan to support community-owned renewable energy projects, marking a pioneering step in cross-border financing and expanding sustainable energy initiatives across Europe.
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Community Engagement and Inclusion
The Community Engagement and Inclusion Award recognises the exceptional commitment of community energy organisations in England to build sustainable communities through inclusive, long-term, measurable, relevant, and sustainable community engagement.
WINNER: East Durham Community Development Trust Ltd
East Durham Community Development Trust tackles poverty, social isolation, and inequality in one of the UK's most deprived areas by providing financial support, fostering community engagement, and promoting inclusive, sustainable energy projects to build resilience and improve well-being.
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Repowering London
Repowering London is a trailblazing community energy organisation that promotes inclusivity and innovation by engaging underrepresented communities, diversifying cooperative membership, and fostering sustainable careers through initiatives like the Cooperative Membership Research Project and Creative Energy Clubs.
SHORTLISTED FINALIST:
Exeter Community Energy (ECOE)
ECOE addresses energy efficiency and fuel poverty through a community-centred approach, leveraging local partnerships, targeted outreach, and volunteer networks to empower vulnerable populations and improve energy inclusion across high-deprivation areas.
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Small/ Medium Community Energy Organisation of the Year
WINNER: The CHEESE Project CIC
CHEESE has been improving energy efficiency and reducing heating costs in Bristol homes for over a decade through affordable thermal imaging surveys, community partnerships, and innovative technology, while also fostering local employment and training in energy retrofitting.
SHORTLISTED FINALISTS:
Energise South Downs
Energise South Downs is a community benefit society focused on transforming the South Downs into a net-zero region through community-led renewable energy projects, achieving key milestones such as solar installations at local schools and leisure centres, and launching educational initiatives to promote carbon reduction.
Derbyshire Dales Community Energy Ltd
This organisation is transforming historical sites and local communities through innovative renewable energy projects, including hydroelectric systems at Cromford Mill and solar power installations, fostering sustainability and economic growth while preserving cultural heritage.
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Supportive Local Authority award - sponsored by Lendology
This award recognises a local authority that has demonstrated exceptional support and commitment to the community energy sector. The nominated local authority should showcase outstanding efforts in facilitating and promoting community energy initiatives within their area.
WINNER: The West of England Mayoral Combined Authority (WECA)
WECA is driving the region towards net-zero emissions by 2030 through substantial funding, collaborative engagement, and a strong focus on community-led renewable energy projects, positioning itself as a national leader in community energy.
HIGHLY COMMENDED: The City of York Council
City of York Council has played a pivotal role in advancing community energy initiatives by integrating them into local policy frameworks, supporting renewable energy projects like Solar for Schools, and fostering collaboration with York Community Energy to achieve the city's decarbonisation goals.
SHORTLISTED FINALISTS:
Torbay Council
Torbay Council is leading the charge towards a carbon-neutral future by collaborating with community energy organisations like ECOE to develop and implement climate action plans, focusing on energy efficiency, retrofitting, and decarbonisation of homes to create a greener, more sustainable community.
Essex County Council
Essex County Council has cemented its leadership in community energy by fostering collaboration, providing financial support, and offering practical assistance to over 25 local energy and climate action groups, driving innovation and sustainability across the county.
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Special Recognition award
Joe Fortune, General Secretary of the Cooperative Party, and his team, have been selected by Community Energy England to receive a Special Recognition Award for their outstanding commitment to promoting and supporting community energy.
This year’s special recognition award honours Joe and his team for their exceptional leadership and advocacy in advancing community energy initiatives. Their dedication and vision has made a potentially huge difference to the community energy sector, and we were pleased to have Joe attend the event to receive this award.
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Sector Support
This award category recognises community energy organisations that have demonstrated outstanding commitment to mentorship, training, sharing expertise or other support within the sector.
WINNER: Younity
Younity, a joint venture between The Midcounties Co-operative and Octopus Energy, champions the UK’s community energy transition by supporting local energy groups with funding, professional development, and policy advocacy, empowering communities to drive sustainable, cooperative energy initiatives.
SHORTLISTED FINALISTS:
Datblygiadau Egni Gwledig (DEG)
DEG is a leading force in community energy development in Wales, driving renewable energy projects through mentorship, technical support, job creation, and collaborative initiatives that empower local communities toward self-sufficiency and economic resilience.
Community Energy South
Community Energy South empowers community energy groups across the UK through training, funding, and partnerships with local authorities, building local capacity for net-zero initiatives and fostering sustainable, community-led climate action.
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Progress in Expansion
This award category aims to recognise community energy organisations that have demonstrated remarkable progress in scale, impact, or range of activities over the 2022/2023 period, no matter their starting point.
WINNER: Exeter Community Energy (ECOE)
ECOE expanded significantly in 2023/24, scaling its energy advice and retrofit services, building strategic partnerships, and increasing its team to address fuel poverty and carbon reduction, positioning itself as a leading community energy organisation dedicated to local sustainability and resilience.
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Shropshire & Telford Community Energy
Shropshire and Telford is a leading rural community energy group advancing renewable energy in Shropshire through community-funded projects like the Twemlows solar farm and the Bishop’s Castle renewable heating network, fostering local sustainability and resilience with support from strategic partnerships and public investment.
SHORTLISTED FINALISTS:
Croydon Community Energy
Croydon Community Energy is a grassroots initiative launched by local residents, advancing renewable energy projects and tackling fuel poverty in Croydon through solar installations, community engagement, and energy advice, setting a model for sustainable, community-driven climate action in economically challenged areas.
Bristol Energy Cooperative
BEC has expanded its renewable energy capacity significantly, despite political and financial challenges, implementing impactful projects like a UK-leading community-owned rooftop solar array, a battery storage system generating local community funds, and a microgrid, which collectively drive sustainable energy solutions and strengthen local resilience.
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Campaigning Organisation of the Year
This award is in recognition of an organisation who has demonstrated exceptional advocacy skills and dedication towards advancing the interests of the community energy sector during and after the 2024 general election campaign. This includes effectively communicating the importance of community energy initiatives to policymakers, political candidates, and the general public.
WINNER: Bristol Energy Cooperative (BEC)
BEC led a significant advocacy campaign during 2023-24, promoting community energy as essential for climate action by raising public awareness, engaging with policymakers, and successfully influencing local and regional energy strategies, while also expanding its renewable energy portfolio to support 3,500 homes.
SHORTLISTED FINALISTS:
The Co-operative Party
The Co-op Party successfully led a campaign to elevate community energy as a priority in the Labour Party's energy strategy, culminating in a historic £3.3 billion commitment to community energy in the 2024 General Election, and securing its inclusion in the founding principles of GB Energy, Britain’s new publicly owned energy company.
BHESCo
BHESCo leveraged the 2024 UK General Election to advocate for community energy by engaging political candidates, producing impactful media campaigns, forming alliances with like-minded groups, and continuing post-election outreach, all while raising substantial investment and educating the public on sustainable energy solutions to drive local and national climate action.
National Energy Action
NEA’s "Operation Warmth" Christmas campaign in 2023 exceeded its £5,000 fundraising goal, raising over £9,000 to support vulnerable individuals facing fuel poverty, while engaging new and existing donors through emotive storytelling and multi-channel outreach, ultimately expanding NEA's donor base and advocacy efforts.
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Community Energy Organisation of the year (Large) - Sponsored by Triodos Bank
This award recognises one community energy organisation that has demonstrated excellence across their operations, delivery, impact, engagement, innovation, and contribution to the broader sector. To be eligible for this award, your organisation must have a turnover above £100,000.
WINNER: Exeter Community Energy (ECOE)
Since 2020, ECOE has grown from a small team to a dynamic organisation with expanded services and funding, achieving remarkable financial growth, delivering significant energy savings for residents, and leading initiatives in fuel poverty, energy efficiency, and renewable energy through strategic partnerships and innovative projects.
SHORTLISTED FINALISTS:
Bristol Energy Network (BEN)
BEN is a community-led organisation dedicated to empowering local communities through energy efficiency programmes, renewable energy initiatives, and advocacy for a Just Transition, while helping to alleviate fuel poverty and promote Bristol’s net-zero goals.
Brighton Energy Co-op (BEC)
Brighton Energy Co-op is a community-driven organisation that promotes sustainability through innovative energy education programmes, large-scale renewable energy projects, and successful community investment initiatives, making a significant impact on energy efficiency and carbon reduction in Brighton and Hove.
Energise Sussex Coast
Energise Sussex Coast has grown significantly since 2017, expanding its staff and income to deliver impactful projects addressing energy poverty, renewable energy adoption, and community sustainability in East Sussex, including solar installations, retrofitting, energy advice services, and collaborations that have saved significant energy costs and reduced CO₂ emissions.
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Community Energy Champion
The Community Energy Champion of the Year Award recognises one exceptional individual, in England, who has made an outstanding contribution to the advancement of the community energy sector in 2023/ 2024.
WINNER: Kate Meakin, Energise Sussex Coast
Kate’s strategic leadership and compassionate approach have been instrumental in guiding Energise Sussex Coast through challenging times, securing vital funding, and launching transformative initiatives like the community solar farm and retrofit services to combat energy poverty and enhance local sustainability.
FINALISTS:
Dave Green, Shropshire and Telford Community Energy
Dave Green has dedicated nearly two decades to advancing community energy in Shropshire and Telford, playing key roles in projects like STCE’s share offer, the Oswaldtwistle Solar Meadow, and the Bishops Castle Heat and Wind Network, while fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing across the UK community energy sector.
Eva Goudouneix, Repowering London
As Community Engagement Programme Manager at Repowering London, Eva has been a driving force in fostering inclusivity and diversity in community energy, creating innovative initiatives like the Summer School of Power and Organising and the Creative Energy Club to empower marginalised groups and engage broader communities in energy initiatives.
Andy O'Brien, Bristol Energy Cooperative
Andy, co-founder of Bristol Energy Cooperative, has been instrumental in developing the cooperative into one of the largest in England, securing 22 clean energy projects and inspiring local communities through his leadership, advocacy, and commitment to sustainable energy practices.