Raising social impact investments with a community bond offer
BHESCo’s earliest community share offer was issued in June 2015, raising £250,000 to develop our first four low carbon energy projects in Brighton and Hove.
Since then, we have attracted more than 400 investors and raised over £1,500,000 of community investment.
Every investment made in BHESCo is used to develop new community-owned energy projects and we are very proud to have now installed energy saving/ energy generating technologies at 59 sites around Sussex.
In addition to helping local businesses and organisations reduce their energy costs and environmental impact, our projects support jobs in the local clean energy sector and provide a replicable business model for others who wish to take action on climate change.
Our proven track record of paying interest to our shareholders
BHESCo’s community energy projects are delivered at no upfront cost to customers using our unique ‘Pay As You Save‘ financial model.
BHESCo finances the upfront cost of the project installation on behalf of our customers using the funds invested from our shareholders.
Our customer then commits to buy the renewable energy generated by the system from BHESCo, at a significantly discounted rate compared to what they would pay an energy company.
Over time, the upfront project cost is recouped, plus a 5% interest allocation which is passed on to our bondholders/ shareholders.
In this way, BHESCo is able to deliver on our promise to pay investors interest each year for the duration of a ‘Pay As You Save’ contract (typically 20 years).
Since our first share offer in 2015, we have made £308,524 in interest payments to our investors.
Asset security - why your investment can be considered lower risk
When you become a shareholder with BHESCo your money is invested in low carbon energy technologies such as solar panels and heat pumps.
This means that the value of your investment is secured in those energy technology assets.
In the event that our BHESCo’s project customer were to become insolvent, we would simply enter into new contract with whichever organisation moves into the property.
In the unlikely event that BHESCo were to become insolvent, our ‘book’ of energy projects would be taken over by another community energy business who would continue to service the energy equipment on behalf of customers and continue to pay shareholders annual interest.
One drawback of community shares is that your investment is not covered by the Financial Services Compensations Scheme, which means you cannot enjoy the same level of security as you may expect from an ISA for example.
Furthermore, because your investment is secured in our on-site energy technologies, it can be considered to be relatively ‘illiquid’, i.e. not readily accessible.
Since our first share offer in 2015, we have made £308,524 in interest payments to our investors.
Why you should start investing in an ethical business like BHESCo
Whatever your personal view on financial risk, it must be acknowledged that simply leaving your savings in a bank account will result in long-term devaluation due to the impact of inflation.
If you want to see your savings grow over time then you should consider becoming a long-term investor in BHESCo. Moreover, your investment will be playing a vital role in the creation of a more equitable and sustainable society, instead of just sitting in a savings account doing little to nothing.
Our current bond offer presents you with an attractive investment opportunity that will deliver meaningful social and environmental impact in addition to great financial returns for you.
We invite you to find our more and consider becoming our latest investor.
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