As we step into 2026, the momentum built over the past year is carrying Brighton & Hove Energy Services Co-op (BHESCo) into one of our most ambitious and impactful periods yet.
From expanding neighbourhood-scale solar to developing community-led decarbonisation plans, 2026 will be a year focused on turning climate ambition into real, on-the-ground action while keeping people, affordability, and fairness at the heart of the transition.
Expanding Solar Powered Communities across Sussex
In January 2026, we begin work on a two-year campaign to bring our Solar Powered Communities programme to three socio-economically deprived neighbourhoods across Sussex. This next phase will place a strong emphasis on supporting fuel-poor households, starting with energy efficiency improvements before moving on to solar power and battery storage.
By taking a whole-system approach, we aim to reduce energy bills, cut carbon emissions, and improve comfort for households that are often most exposed to rising energy costs.
You can read more about our Solar Powered Communities programme here.
(Above: Rooftop solar PV and battery storage installed as part of BHESCo’s Solar Powered Communities programme in Preston Park, Brighton).
Building on our community-led approach, 2026 will also see BHESCo begin work on the Saltdean Decarbonisation Plan, alongside progressing to Phase Two of the Decarbonisation Plan for Ovingdean, which will also incorporate Solar Powered Communities.
These plans go beyond reports. They are designed to identify practical, locally appropriate pathways for communities to reduce emissions, including the development of local electricity generation through solar and wind power, while supporting residents to take informed and confident steps toward low-carbon homes.
Our work with Re-Energise Manor Royal at the Manor Royal Business Ditrict will move decisively from engagement into implementation in 2026.
BHESCo will project manage the installation of £1 million worth of solar panels, funded through the Crawley Towns Fund. This marks a major step forward in decarbonising one of the region’s most important business districts, while demonstrating how collaboration between communities, businesses, and local authorities can deliver tangible results.
In 2026, BHESCo will also take on a new role as a Sussex Chamber of Commerce Ambassador, strengthening our work at the intersection of clean energy, community impact, and the local business economy.
As a Chamber Ambassador, we will support local businesses facing rising energy costs and regulatory change by sharing practical insights, encouraging collaboration, and connecting organisations to sustainable energy solutions. Drawing on our experience delivering more than 60 local projects and investing millions into Sussex’s clean energy economy, we look forward to helping build a more resilient, competitive, and sustainable regional business community.
New policies, new possibilities for community energy
We are entering 2026 at a pivotal moment for community energy in the UK, with major policy shifts and new opportunities emerging alongside rapid changes in the energy system.
We eagerly anticipate the launch of the UK Government’s Warm Homes Plan, expected to unlock significant funding for insulation, heat pumps, and solar power. At the same time, the proposed Local Power Plan could provide grant funding and low‑cost loans to accelerate the development of community energy projects nationwide. BHESCo will be working to ensure communities across Sussex are well placed to benefit from these opportunities as they emerge.
As the energy system continues to evolve, BHESCo will remain at the forefront of innovation — working within the changing regulatory framework to increase the number of clean electricity beneficiaries and maximise the social and environmental value of renewable energy. Through partnerships and new delivery models, we will continue exploring ways to ensure the benefits of clean energy are shared as widely and fairly as possible.
Join us on the journey
Everything we do at BHESCo is driven by a belief in the power of social enterprise and community action to tackle the climate crisis.
As we head into 2026, we invite everyone who shares this vision to be part of our journey — whether by supporting our projects, working with us, or becoming a shareholder member of our co-operative.
Together, we can build an energy system that works for people, communities, and the planet.
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