Post-Event Report: Watts Up, East Marsh? – East Marsh Energy Help Fair
Watts Up, East Marsh? – East Marsh Energy Help Fair
Date: Tuesday 24 February 2026
Location: Freeman Street Market, Grimsby
Delivered by: Grimsby Community Energy
Event Overview
Grimsby Community Energy delivered the Watts Up, East Marsh? – East Marsh Energy Help Fair at Freeman Street Market to provide residents with practical energy advice, support, and access to local organisations that could help with energy costs, efficiency, and related support services.
The event was designed as a welcoming, drop-in session, allowing residents to speak directly with trusted organisations in a familiar community setting. Refreshments were provided to create a relaxed and approachable environment.
Attendance and Engagement
A total of 51 residents attended the event, representing a strong turnout for a community-based advice event of this nature. The attendance demonstrated clear local demand for accessible, face-to-face energy support, particularly within an area experiencing high levels of fuel poverty.
Residents engaged positively with the organisations present, with many asking questions about energy bills, reducing costs, and future support available through community energy initiatives.
Notably, three residents participated in in-depth discussions about their energy bills, with one individual successfully identified as being owed a refund of £200, which they are now able to reclaim. This demonstrates the immediate and tangible financial benefit that direct, in-person advice can provide.
Partner Organisation Feedback
Local organisations and advice providers who attended reported that the event was:
- Well organised
- Well promoted
- Well attended
- Delivered in a welcoming and accessible environment
Partners expressed satisfaction with the quality of engagement and the number of residents who attended, and indicated their willingness to participate in future events organised by Grimsby Community Energy.
Outcomes and Impact
The event successfully achieved its objectives by:
- Providing direct support to over 50 households
- Identifying immediate financial benefit for residents, including a £200 refund
- Increasing awareness of available energy advice and support services
- Strengthening relationships between local organisations and residents
- Building trust in Grimsby Community Energy within the East Marsh community
- Supporting ongoing engagement for the East Marsh Solar PV project
The event also helped establish a strong foundation for continued engagement with residents as part of Grimsby Community Energy’s wider programme to deliver solar energy and reduce fuel poverty locally.
Conclusion
The Watts Up, East Marsh? event was a clear success, demonstrating strong community interest and delivering measurable benefits to residents. The turnout exceeded expectations for a targeted local advice event, and partner feedback confirmed that the event was professionally delivered and effective.
Grimsby Community Energy will build on this success through further engagement events, advice sessions, and the delivery of its solar PV programme for East Marsh households.
Post-Event Report: Grimsby Energy Collective – Inspiring Cooperative Growth
Date: Wednesday, 29 January 2025
Venue: Parkway Cinema, Cleethorpes & Cleethorpes Taphouse and Kitchen
Grimsby Community Energy hosted the first-of-its-kind energy co-op event in North East Lincolnshire, bringing together community benefit societies, cooperatives, renewable energy suppliers, and industry experts. The event, set against the backdrop of a region heavily invested in offshore wind, provided a valuable platform for discussion, knowledge sharing, and networking.
Event Highlights
Speaker Sessions:
- 9.35am – Hugh Goulbourne – Director, CO2Sense
Hugh provided an insightful overview of CO2Sense, explaining how they bridge the gap between public funding and private investment. CO2Sense has invested in over 50 wind, hydro, bio, and solar projects, helping to drive the growth of renewable energy initiatives. - 10.00am – Ian Porter – Director, Savi Energy
Ian discussed the UK’s electricity mix and the challenges of being reliant on gas. He highlighted the importance of renewable technology while acknowledging that energy generation does not always align with demand patterns. Ian also explored grid balancing, flexible load management, battery storage, and revenue generation opportunities within the sector. - 10.45am – Jane Watson – Innovation Engagement Lead, Community Engagement – DSO Northern Powergrid
Jane introduced Northern Powergrid and its role in electricity distribution, ensuring power reaches 3.9 million homes across the North East, Yorkshire, and Northern Lincolnshire. She then presented the Community DSO (Community Distributed System Operator), a £14.5 million electricity network innovation project aimed at accelerating the transition to a zero-carbon future. - 11.00am – Dr. Vicky Dunn – Director, Grimsby Community Energy
Vicky wrapped up the presentations by explaining the motivation behind creating the event – to bring community organisations together, provide guidance on scaling up operations, drive innovation in sustainable energy, and foster meaningful collaborations. - 11.35am – Panel Discussion
A dynamic panel discussion followed, where speakers answered audience questions, shared insights, and engaged in thought-provoking conversations about the future of energy cooperatives and community-led sustainability initiatives.
Networking Lunch & Exhibitors
At 12pm, attendees gathered at Cleethorpes Taphouse and Kitchen for a networking lunch featuring pizza, chips, and Great Grimsby Haddock sliders. This provided a relaxed setting for further discussions and engagement with a variety of stand holders, including:
- Energy Oasis
- Northern Powergrid
- RSUK
- Savi Energy
- Midlands and North East Net Zero Hub
Key Takeaways:
- Community energy cooperatives play a crucial role in the transition to renewable energy.
- Investment and innovation in battery storage and grid balancing will be key to future sustainability.
- Collaboration between cooperatives, industry stakeholders, and local authorities is essential to accelerate change.
Acknowledgments
We extend our sincere thanks to Parkway Cinema and Cleethorpes Taphouse and Kitchen for hosting this event and for their commitment to supporting local renewable energy initiatives. Special appreciation goes to all our speakers, exhibitors, and attendees for making this an engaging and insightful gathering.
Looking Ahead
With delegates traveling from across the North of England, including Teesside and North Yorkshire, this event was a significant step towards fostering regional collaboration in the renewable energy sector. We look forward to continuing these conversations and building on the momentum to drive cooperative growth in sustainable energy.
