A community effort to benefit the community
BCE enables schools, public buildings and businesses to cut their carbon emissions and pay less for energy by partnering with them to provide a source of renewable energy and advice on energy efficiency measures.
Buckinghamshire Community Energy (BCE) is a community benefit society, which means it is a not-for-profit social enterprise registered with the FCA, with an asset lock and funding from people in the community, who fund projects, become Members and have a say in how BCE is run and what projects it should develop.
Normally, community energy projects are based on solar power with or without storage, with or without EV charging as part of the installation. Projects usually include solar farms, hydro power, onshore wind, ground or air source heat pumps and any other carbon emissions reduction technologies including energy efficiency retrofitting.
Savings for energy users, a local and greener source of energy
In return for the installation of the renewable energy source, the host site users pay BCE for the electricity which is generated by the renewable energy source at a price below that offered by their grid supplier, and which allows the initial costs of the installation to be paid back.
The installation is legally owned and operated by Buckinghamshire Community Energy Ltd through a long-term lease agreement, and the price of the energy is fixed for an agreed time period, with a review when the capital costs have been recouped: leading to lower energy costs for the energy user.
Any surpluses generated by projects will fund further community installations and carbon emissions reduction infrastructure, and also help BCE to achieve its other objectives in terms of energy efficiency, carbon emissions reductions and the development of skills and expertise in the local community.
How to get involved
Find out more about how a community energy partnership works here.
If you run a building or a business that has a large roof and consumes a lot of energy, get in touch with us at info@buckscommunityenergy.org
Enabling Net Zero
Helping the county of Buckinghamshire to become carbon neutral by partnering with businesses and community organisations to establish renewable energy generation and other low carbon technologies wherever possible.
Facilitating Net Zero
Facilitating progress towards carbon neutrality by installing and funding infrastructure such as energy efficient buildings and renewable energy sources.
Advising local people how to reduce their energy usage and carbon emissions in their daily life and work.
Find out more about the Leaky Homes Roadshow here.
Find out more about the Energy Efficient Homes Fair (Bucks) here.
Removing barriers to Net Zero
Helping organisations to save money on energy bills while generating a financial surplus for re-investment in carbon emission reduction and energy efficiency projects in our community, and developing skills and expertise relating to renewable energy, low carbon technologies and energy efficiency in our young people.
Find out more about the Wharf Road Campus Decarbonisation Project in Wendover here.