A three-year project aimed at introducing community-led action on energy across Bath and North East Somerset has received funding from the National Lottery.
Home energy champions, dedicated outreach advisors and support for community-owned renewables are part of the project.
Bath & North East Somerset Council partnered with Bath and West Community Energy (BWCE), Bath University and the Community Wellbeing Hub to successfully bid for £1.5 million of funding from The National Lottery Climate Action Fund.
The money will support the creation of a network of Energy Champions, based within community groups, frontline services and third sector and health organisations across the district.
They will be supporting peers, neighbours, communities and colleagues to access support around home energy, retrofit and renewables through a programme of local advice drop-ins and events and home visits providing basic draughtproofing and energy efficiency measures.
Councillor Sarah Warren, cabinet member for climate emergency and sustainable travel, said: “We are delighted to have been awarded this funding, which will ensure every community contains trusted voices who can champion energy awareness, and provide residents with pointers to expert advice to enable action to reduce energy bills and make homes warmer.
“This project will also help move us towards our net zero objective of 300MW renewable energy generation capacity.”
Two dedicated Energy Outreach Advisors, employed by Age UK and Citizens Advice and supported by the Centre for Sustainable Energy (CSE), will be based within the Community Wellbeing Hub to offer signposting and basic training for workers and volunteers to ensure that residents accessing the hub’s services can also find out about available energy support.
Simon Allen, Chief Executive Officer at Age UK Bath and North East Somerset, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with the council, BWCE and CSE.
“Many residents struggle to pay for their energy bills and with the impact of the cost of living, we need to help people make changes to reduce their costs and reduce their energy use.
“Age UK Bath and North East Somerset and Citizens Advice Bath & North East Somerset welcome the opportunity to build on our existing partnership arrangements within the Community Wellbeing Hub and look forward to supporting residents.”
BWCE will co-ordinate the development of the Community Energy Network and support the Home Energy Champions programme.
A third element of the project aims to support the development of 5MW community-owned renewable generation by 2030.
BWCE will work with six communities in B&NES to identify renewable energy projects and support them with feasibility and project development.
Pete Capener, Managing Director at Bath & West Community Energy, said: “This is an exciting opportunity to play a part in developing a groundbreaking network in B&NES to support community action on home energy and renewables.
“Our role builds on our previous work and as a not-for-profit Community Benefit Society positions us well as an independent, unifying force that can bring together communities, partners and stakeholders alike to create the Community Energy Network.
“We are delighted to be working with such excellent project partners to develop a coherent response to addressing the climate crisis and promoting the wellbeing of B&NES residents.”
Support will also be provided by the Centre for Sustainable Energy (CSE), which previously worked with the council to hold three pilot Community Conversations about renewable energy in places that have high potential for wind and solar generation.
The project will look to continue this work, including workshops with other communities across BANES interested in generating their own energy.
CSE will also be providing training and ongoing support to the Home Energy Advice Champions and energy outreach advisors.
Keith Hempshall, Director, Local and Community Empowerment at CSE, said: “‘We’re really looking forward to contributing towards this project and working with all the partners involved.
“What distinguishes the BANES Community Energy Network project for us, is the way it looks at the energy system holistically and responds to the range of local needs and opportunities to create a genuinely greener, smarter and fairer local energy system.”
Two researchers from the University of Bath will work with the partners on the project design and development and on an evaluation plan.
Dr Nick Nash, from the University of Bath’s Department of Psychology, said: “This project offers a unique opportunity to place communities in the university’s home city and region at the heart of transformative changes in the energy sector, and we’re delighted to be involved.
“Leveraging the university’s expertise, we aim to drive positive impacts through close partnerships with local organisations as we work collectively towards a Net Zero future.”
The project will launch in February 2025.
