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

We are inviting local residents to contribute to the development of this plan, providing insights and ideas to inform an affordable and cost-effective strategy that benefits everyone.

The Decarbonisation Plan will look at how to build community-owned renewable energy generation such as onshore wind and solar power as well as ways to reduce carbon emissions from heating and transport. We will also look at establishing a community benefit fund that can pay for biodiversity and socially oriented improvements in the area.

Community Launch Event - Saltdean Decarbonisation Plan

On 27th November 2025, BHESCo and Saltdean Climate Action Network hosted a packed community launch event at Saltdean Lido to introduce the Saltdean Community Decarbonisation Plan. Local residents joined an evening of presentations, film and discussion to explore how Saltdean can become cleaner, fairer and more energy‑efficient through community‑led action on home energy, transport and local renewables.

BHESCo’s CEO and founder, Kayla Ente, opened the evening with a presentation explaining what a decarbonisation plan is, how it brings together data, local knowledge, and investment to cut emissions, and the practical benefits it can deliver for households, from warmer homes to lower energy bills.

Kayla also set out a vision for Saltdean as a low-carbon leader on the Brighton & Hove coast, showing how community ownership and collaboration can unlock projects that would not happen otherwise, while creating new local jobs in the growing green economy.

This was followed by a talk from Malcolm Spencer from Ovingdean, where BHESCo is already supporting residents on a similar decarbonisation study. He shared early lessons, insights from his experience with BHESCo, and ideas that could help shape Saltdean’s own journey.

The audience asked thoughtful questions about heat pumps, rooftop solar, energy advice, and how the plan would reflect the needs of different streets and households, highlighting strong local interest.

As a bonus, the evening ended with a screening of the documentary film “Power Station”, which shows what is possible when communities take the lead in transforming their neighbourhoods, from generating clean power to reimagining shared spaces.

The film sparked lively conversations about how Saltdean could build its own version of this story and become a beacon of community-powered climate action.

The event marked the start of a year-long process to co-design the plan with residents. This includes six detailed household energy surveys to confirm each home archetype in our EPC database, an upcoming Supplier’s Day to connect people with trusted installers, and opportunities for community-owned projects such as rooftop solar, heat decarbonisation and improved public spaces.

Attendees were invited to share their ideas, priorities and concerns so the final plan truly reflects Saltdean’s ambitions, laying the foundation for a greener, warmer and more resilient neighbourhood powered by its community.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who are Brighton & Hove Energy Services Co-operative (BHESCo)?

BHESCo is a social enterprise which has developed more than sixty low-carbon energy projects since 2015. Most projects are financed at no upfront cost using a ‘Pay As You Save’ finance model. BHESCo has raised nearly £2 million of finance from more than 475 investors. Most recently, BHESCo completed work on Brighton’s first neighbourhood-scale solar power and battery programme, where participating residents could get systems installed at no upfront cost.

Where has the funding for this project come from?

BHESCo successfully applied for funding from the Community Energy Fund, which is provided by the UK Government and administered by the Greater Southeast Net Zero Hub. This grant funding is for the purpose of preparing a plan to decarbonise Saltdean.

Why is this project taking place in Saltdean?

We decided to focus on Saltdean as a location following discussions with the Saltdean Climate Action Network (SCAN), who will be acting as key partners. As a coastal area, Saltdean has excellent wind and solar power potential. There is also a high percentage of homeownership, which means people can make decisions about their properties.

In partnership with: