Community Energy England (CEE) - Summer Conference

Co‑operative Alternatives had an energising day at the Community Energy England Summer Conference in Birmingham on 18 June. Representing the emerging Community Energy NI (CENI), we enjoyed meeting the new CEO, Matt Vickers, and hearing his early reflections on the direction of the sector. One of the most engaging moments was a lively exchange on what it really means to deliver community energy at scale, with contributions from Kate Ashworth (WMCA), Fraser Stewart (GB Energy), and Katherine Rooney (SW Net Zero Hub). Their discussion brought home both the ambition and the practical realities of scaling community‑led energy across regions.

We also took part in a thought‑provoking workshop on scaling shared ownership, enriched by learning from organisations like E4All, who have hands‑on experience delivering shared ownership projects. The session explored how shared ownership can move from being a cornerstone of community energy to becoming mainstream practice across the wider energy system. Participants dug into successes, barriers, and the changes needed to embed shared ownership as a standard approach, with plenty of practical steps to take forward.

Another highlight was hearing Beate Pesian share the journey of Community Energy Birmingham, offering honest insights into what it takes to build and sustain local energy initiatives over time. We rounded off the day with a fascinating workshop on the challenges and opportunities of batteries and solar in community buildings, which opened up new thinking on how storage and generation can strengthen community assets.

It was a full and inspiring programme, rich with ideas, grounded in practice, and a reminder of the power of shared learning across the community energy movement.

This visit was supported by Energy Learning Network (ELN).