About Community Energy Warwickshire

Community Energy Warwickshire (CEW) is a Community Benefit Society – a type of co-operative – which was incorporated in December 2010 with the aim of benefiting the community and the environment by:

  • Developing renewable energy projects.
  • Promoting sustainable use of energy and helping to cut carbon emissions through energy efficiency.
  • Raising public awareness of renewable energy, energy efficiency and sustainability.

Its constitution is set out in its Rules, and CEW is registered with the Financial Conduct Authority (registered no. 31145R).

CEW is run by its members (shareholders), who elect the board of directors and take other decisions democratically on the basis of one member, one vote.

CEW is committed to creating an open and inclusive organisation in which all members can be actively involved.

Achievements to date

We launched our first community share offer in October 2011 and used the proceeds to install solar PV panels at to local NHS hospitals. A 10 kilowatt peak (kWp) system was installed at Stratford upon Avon Hospital in December 2011, and a 50 kWp system was installed at Warwick Hospital in February 2012.

The performance of these systems has exceeded manufacturers’ forecasts, and in the two years from 1 March 2012 to 28 February 2014, the two arrays produced over 140,000 units of electricity, saving more than 70 tonnes of carbon and earning £50,000 from Feed-in Tariff (FiT) and electricity sales.

The solar PV systems were installed under agreements with South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust, which give the Trust cheaper electricity through the right to purchase the electricity generated at a discount to the price it normally pays. CEW also supports the Trust’s energy efficiency and carbon reduction programme, and has provided a number of energy awareness sessions for staff.

Community benefits

As a Community Benefit Society, CEW’s primary purpose is to create social dividends rather than financial rewards for investors. In 2013, we gave a total of £2,000 divided equally between the Leagues of Friends of the four hospitals managed by South Warwickshire NHS Trust. For the future, CEW aims to give one-third of surplus before tax each year to charitable purposes such as insulation and energy efficiency improvements; energy efficiency training; events, workshops and advice surgeries; and one-to-one support to help vulnerable people live in warm, energy efficient homes.

Plans for the future

CEW’s aim is to be a sustainable long-term business with a portfolio of diverse projects. We have already investigated a number of local opportunities to use energy technologies such as anaerobic digestion, micro-hydro, and renewable heat using biomass from local, sustainably managed woodland.

We have also discussed possible solar PV schemes with a range of potential local partners, including a church, a school and a village hall. We are currently talking to a number of town and parish councils in and around Warwickshire about opportunities to develop renewable and sustainable energy projects that could benefit them and their local communities.