Hi everyone,
I’m very pleased to tell you that Brighton Energy Co-op will launch its share offer on 2 November, at the Friend’s Meeting House at 7pm. Do come along – this will be your chance to join this pioneering initiative for community-owned green power in Brighton.
With your help we will install 120Kwp of solar panels at Shoreham Port, St George’s Church in Kemptown and City Coast Church in Portslade. We are in negotiations with other sites so there may be more.
If you choose to join the co-op you’ll receive a return on your investment, as well as the chance to co-own significant solar installations. BEC is a democratically owned, local organisation that helps increase local involvement in energy issues. And by generating our own electricity we also aim to increase energy self-sufficiency & security.
It’s a great opportunity for the everyone to share the benefits of renewable energy.
Pledge your Support
As a prelude to the official share launch you can signal your interest by filling in our pledge form here. You might also be interested to see how other energy co-ops – including OVESCO in Lewes – have done much the same thing.
Share launch events
Over the course of our share launch period we are also running a series of events around the energy theme. Highlights include evenings with Jeremy Leggett and Caroline Lucas plus a screening of the film ‘Gasland’. You can see the details below.
Volunteers
Ware also looking for volunteers; this will involve a couple of hours’ work help with our publicity. If you’d like to get involved then please let me know (for those of you who have already sent me details I will be in contact soon!)
Energyshare
Finanlly, we continue to apply for funds from outside sources. One of these is energyshare, an interesting scheme run by British Gas. You can see our details and add your support to BEC here (click on the red ‘support this group’ bar).
Many thanks for your continued interest in Brighton Energy Co-op. It’s been a long road, but the destination is now in sight!
Best
Will
Brighton Energy Co-op
Brighton Energy Co-op launch events – dates for your diary
2 November – Brighton Energy Co-op share launch
Details of the Brighton Energy Co-op scheme — and how you can get involved.
Friend’s Meeting House, Ship Street, Brighton, BN1 1AF
7pm-9.30pm, free
8 November – Caroline Lucas – My First 200 Days
The Green MP for Brighton Pavilion gives a personal reflection on the beginning of her term in office and experiences in the Houses of Parliament.
Venue tbc
7pm-9.30pm, free
17 November – Jeremy Leggett: ‘Dispatches from the Frontline’
The combative Chairman of Solar Century (and author of Half Gone and The Carbon Wars) speaks about peak oil, the solar industry and the forthcoming energy crunch.
The Brighthelm Centre, North Road, Brighton BN1 1YD
7pm-9.30pm, free
23 November – Gasland (film screening)
This Oscar-nominated documentary looks at shale gas extraction, an onshore gas drilling industry that is about to start up in the UK. See www.gasland.com
Venue tbc
7pm – 9.30pm, free
Brighton Energy Co-op public appearances
As well as organising our own events we are holding stands and speaking at many other events in the area, including:
15th October
EcoEnergy Fair
Brighthem Centre, Brighton
22nd October
Greening Horsham Eco Fair,
County Hall North, RH12 1XA
26th October
Brighton and Hove Parents forum Eco Family Fun Day
Jubilee Square and Library, Brighton, 12pm
29th October
Transition Hassocks Octoberfest,
Downlands Community School, Hassocks
29/30th October
Move or Improve Show
Amex Stadium (shared stand with CityZen)
5th Nov
Transition Forest Row
Home Energy Saving Fair,
Village Hall, Forest Row
24th November
SPRU
Freemann Centre,
University of Sussex
1 – 2pm
Hope to see you there!
