Energy Local

The energy clubs helping small communities benefit from local energy

Founded on the belief that clean energy should be fair and affordable, Energy Local helps communities set up a new community heating approach to drastically reduce bills whilst providing low carbon warmth.

Households can “club together” to show when they are using local clean power as it’s generated. The scheme gives generators a price for the power produced, which reflects its true value, reduces household bills and keeps more money in the local area.

As founder Mary Gillie explains, the framework enables them to support communities and develop fairer, local energy markets. She hopes to use the support provided by the Innovate UK Inclusive Innovation Award to expand Energy Local and connect with people in otherwise overlooked communities.

“We plan to develop clubs with hard-to-reach households in often overlooked communities. By enabling them to access cheaper, renewable energy, they will be able to reduce their carbon footprint and potentially learn new skills during the set-up of the club. The clubs also offer a base for community engagement where members can start to explore more opportunities for community projects,” Mary says.