ABOUT BEC
At Bristol Energy Cooperative we develop renewable energy and energy efficiency projects, with and for the benefit of the community.
We’re responsible for the equivalent of 33% of Bristol’s solar energy generation.
Our projects are funded by investor members, who receive interest on their investment from the money we receive for the energy we produce. As a cooperative, decisions are made on a one-member one-vote basis at our AGMs.
We’re a people-owned power station for Greater Bristol!
We’re not affiliated in any way with Bristol Energy Limited, the company sold by Bristol City Council.
As it stands right now, our government is not acting quickly enough to meet Paris Climate Agreement goals. We simply can’t afford to wait.This is what inspires us to act. Bristol Energy Cooperative is the embodiment of people power – we’re a group of ordinary citizens many times greater than the sum of our parts.Our members’ investments have enabled us to build a growing portfolio of clean energy projects. Unlike the big corporates, we retain benefits within the community; creating positive change with every £ from subsidised energy bills for community spaces to slashing carbon emissions, Bristol Energy Cooperative’s positive impact can be felt from the local to the global level.
BEC IN NUMBERS
1500
Members
£8.5 Million
Raised by the community
10.5 MW
Installed energy generation capacity
£350,000
Community benefit funds raised
OUR OBJECTIVES IN MORE DETAIL
We aim to support the creation of a resilient, robust and organised community,
and respond equitably to current and future energy challenges, in particular to:
Enable meaningful cuts in carbon emissions, and reduce dependence on unsustainable sources of energy
Fund and implement renewable energy and energy efficiency measures, in collaboration with people, communities and businesses
Work co-operatively with people and communities to make carbon reduction technologies available to all, regardless of financial resources, and support mutual action to respond to the challenges of climate change
STRONG TRACK RECORD
1
Our first share offer in 2012 raised £127,000 from 160 investor-members. We installed solar panels at Hamilton House in Stokes Croft, Knowle West Media Centre, and Easton Community Centre.
2
A second share offer for solar PV raised £120,000 for further installations at the Bristol Folk House, South Bristol Sports Centre, and Empire Fighting Chance.
3
Our third solar fund-raise in 2015-16 raised over £10 million. This enabled us to expand our portfolio to 11 community buildings and 2 community solar farms.
4
Our Bond Offer in 2017 raised over £700,000 for solar generation and energy storage through a state-of-the-art Tesla battery.
5
Between 2020 and 2022 we raised £3.4 million through community share offers 7 and 8. Our membership has reached over 1500, attracting investors from Bristol and all over the UK.
6
We’ve facilitated over £350,000 of community benefit payments to a wide range of organisations.
WHO WE ARE
See the list of current directors and staff
See our community partners
Read about our community benefit schemes
Work for us
WE ARE PROUD MEMBERS OF
