Energy Local CIC- innovators in local electricity supply
Energy Local Bridport was established in late 2019 by Dorset Community Energy. It is the first project in England to supply local households with lower-cost locally generated renewable electricity through the existing grid. A local farmer had recently installed a 50kW wind turbine and expressed interest in selling his export to directly local people, rather than to a national electricity supply company. A £10k start-up grant was provided by the Power to Change Bright Ideas Fund, mainly to cover local promotion and the cost of training and consultancy services from Energy Local CIC. This included setting up the contractual arrangements with Octopus Energy for metering and billing the household members (who formed a cooperative).
The Covid pandemic caused delays to smart meter installations but Energy Local Bridport, with support from Octopus Energy, commenced local electricity supply to the first members in September 2021. There are currently 50 members who have collectively saved over £10,000 in the last year from local electricity supply and the Time of Use Tariff. In addition, the generator was £5000 better off by selling export locally compared to export prices paid by most national electricity supply companies.
For further information (including details of other Energy Local Clubs) please see https://energylocal.org.uk/
Wessex Community Energy Network 