It’s hard to believe but Brighton & Hove Energy Services Co-op (BHESCo) turns ten years old in November!
What began as a unique vision and a passionate drive for change has become a multi-award winning social enterprise with more than 400 members who have invested over a million pounds in local energy projects.
BHESCo’s 58 clean energy projects will deliver savings of £1.6 million for their local communities, in addition to reducing carbon emissions by 7,083 tonnes (equivalent to the annual emissions of 1,526 petrol powered cars).
We want to take you on a journey from our humble beginnings in 2012 to the present day, where our thriving co-op is considered to be one of the leading community energy groups in England.
We want to thank everyone who has become a member, a volunteer, a partner, an investor or a supporter in any way – it is only by working together that we can create real change. #
Caroline Lucas, MP for Brighton Pavilion, said:
I’m sorry that prior commitments mean I can’t be with you tonight to celebrate such a wonderful achievement – ten years of operating a successful, sustainable business model, run in partnership with the communities you serve.
I’ve been a proud supporter of BHESCo’s work right from the start – it’s such crucial work that is even more urgent in this time of insecurity and high energy costs. Accelerating fuel poverty and fossil fuel dependency must be overcome through increasing efficiency and providing locally generated, renewable energy. BHESCo have shown that is possible – by reaching property and homeowners, renters, and families across our city and the South East, bringing an inspiring and innovative approach to energy generation to keep people warm, bring down their bills, and tackle the climate emergency.
And you have always been ahead of the curve. Back in 2016, BHESCo launched their Energy Saving Service. This was initially targeted at low-income households, allowing them to complete an energy survey considering how heat loss could be minimised, to ensure that proposed green energy solutions were targeted and cost-effective. Since then, they have continued to deliver community-funded energy projects throughout Sussex, mostly at no up-front cost to the consumer.
This is not just vital community work; it is a blueprint for a different world.
It is hugely inspiring and reassuring to know that this is taking place in my constituency and beyond, and I am thrilled to be able to congratulate Kayla, and everyone at BHESCo on all that you have achieved. Here’s to the next ten years!
Peter Kyle, MP for Hove said:
I am so sorry I couldn’t make it tonight. I’m sure it will be a fantastic evening. I wanted to congratulate all of you at the Brighton and Hove Energy Services Cooperative on marking your tenth anniversary as an organization. To hear that you have delivered nearly sixty renewable energy projects in just ten years is remarkable and it’s a true testament to the exceptional work being done in our country to make the transition to cleaner energy sources. With the devastation, we are seeing in Pakistan now and the threat that a warmer climate poses to our own coastal region, the reality is truly unsettling. Both people and the planet deserve better. I feel so honoured to work alongside a community who are so committed to tackling climate change and are working towards a future with all of us in mind. Your work in housing, healthcare and education facilities is particularly commendable as it is so important that we ensure that renewable energy sources are made accessible to all.
I look forward to seeing this great work continue over the coming years and hope to see more cooperatives like yours follow in your footsteps.
From helping to drive down energy costs for businesses, to tackling fuel poverty and reducing carbon emissions, BHESCo’s collective impact has been far greater than the sum of our parts.
Clean energy, for people and planet ; A decade of BHESCo
2012
Kayla Ente moves to Brighton from London and establishes BHESCo.
2013
BHESCo business model is developed and the business is re-organised as a co-operative. BHESCo wins its first project to support Hove Station Neighbourhood Forum.
2014
Kayla grows the business network and begins to develop the first four energy projects using the Pay as You Save financing model. BHESCo becomes an energy champion for Brighton & Hove as part of the ‘Big Energy Saving Network’.
2015
BHESCo launches our inaugural share offer, attracting £243,000 to develop the first four projects, including solar PV and roof insulation at Junction Studios in the North Laine, Brighton.
2016
BHESCo launches our Energy Saving Service which delivers 240 energy surveys to fuel poor homes as part of Warmth For Wellbeing Programme for Brighton and Hove City Council. BHESCo energy advisors receive ‘Heat Heroes’ award at the Houses of Parliament.
2017
BHESCo completes 13 projects, including our first ever air source heat pump project at The Montessori Place School.
2018
BHESCo completes 12 projects including an innovative heat storage project at Alistair Fleming Design kitchen showroom on Cliffe High Street in Lewes . BHESCo named ‘Green Company of the Year’ at Brighton & Hove Business Awards.
2019
Solar for Schools programme – BHESCo oversees the installation of more than 1,000 solar panels on schools and colleges around Brighton. BHESCo named winner of ‘Carbon Saving Award’ at Community Energy England Awards.
2020
BHESCo develops a solar power project for a church in Horsham and a low energy design and development project for Bunker Housing Co-operative. BHESCo completes its first ground source heat pump project, an 87kW installation at a school in Framfield, removing the oil boiler. Total funds raised through community share offers passes £1 million.
2021
BHESCo launches a low-carbon heat consultancy service to support Local Authorities and completes low-carbon heating feasibility studies in Firle and Crowhurst. BHESCo founder and CEO, Kayla Ente, is named as an MBE in the Queens Honours List for services to community based energy efficiency.
2022
BHESCo continues to develop consultancy services for Local Authorities, completing a renewable heat study for Shoreham in Kent and advises Storrington and Sullington and East Preston Councils in West Sussex. BHESCo begins working with a number of blocks of flats in Brighton and Hove who want to change their gas powered communal heating to clean, renewable heat.
You can read more about our history and plans for the future in our ‘Ten Years of BHESCo Impact Report‘ .
You can also help to create more locally owned clean energy projects by getting involved with our latest Share Offer. Click the button below for more details and how to apply:
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