Ashqua Shaikh

Brighton & Hove Energy Services Co-operative (BHESCo) are partnering with Saltdean Climate Action Network to prepare a Decarbonisation Plan for the area.

After years of operating on the margins, community energy in the UK is finally stepping into the spotlight. Backed by up to £1 billion from Great British Energy, the Local Power Plan promises to remove long-standing financial and regulatory barriers and support over 1,000 local clean energy projects by 2030. But will it truly empower communities — and what does it mean for organisations like BHESCo that have been delivering grassroots energy solutions since 2013?

In 2026, BHESCo is set to expand solar-powered communities, support households facing rising energy costs, and help Sussex businesses go greener. From neighbourhood decarbonisation to innovative clean energy projects, we’re powering a fairer, more sustainable future for people and communities across the region.

Small, everyday choices can make a big difference. From saving energy at home to supporting local action, here are simple ways to live more sustainably in 2026.