Grimsby Energy Collective – Inspiring Cooperative Growth

Grimsby Energy Collective – Inspiring Cooperative Growth is a regional gathering that brings together community organisations, industry leaders, educators, civic representatives and infrastructure partners to explore practical opportunities for collaboration and shared progress.

Hosted by Grimsby Community Energy at Parkway Cinema, Cleethorpes, the event provides a platform for organisations working across community energy, skills, infrastructure and regional development to connect, share insight and build relationships. Through a series of short talks, an inspirational keynote and an interactive panel discussion, delegates will gain a clearer understanding of the opportunities emerging across the region and how partnership working can help unlock them.

The programme highlights real-world projects, showcases regional leadership, and explores the systems, skills and innovation needed to support locally led initiatives. Speakers represent organisations at the forefront of community energy, electricity networks, battery storage, careers development and national sector leadership, alongside keynote speaker Chris Hines MBE, a highly respected communicator and advocate for positive change.

The event is designed not only to inform, but to strengthen connections between organisations and individuals working toward a shared vision of resilient, locally driven progress. By bringing together established leaders and emerging voices, Grimsby Energy Collective helps create the conditions for new partnerships, future projects and continued growth across Greater Lincolnshire and beyond.

This year’s confirmed speakers include:

• Chris Hines MBE – Keynote Speaker – Chris is a respected environmental campaigner and communicator with decades of experience, including founding Surfers Against Sewage and serving as Sustainability Director at The Eden Project. He has influenced national policy debates and led major initiatives on environmental protection and sustainability.
• John Taylor – Head of Capacity Building, Community Energy England – John leads capacity building for Community Energy England, the national membership body for community energy. He supports training, partnerships and new delivery models to help community energy groups grow, drawing on his extensive experience in local government advisory roles and sector development.
• Liam Granville – Community Energy Team Lead, Northern Powergrid – Liam is part of Northern Powergrid’s Community Energy team, supporting local energy initiatives across the company’s service area. In his role he works to provide guidance, funding support and practical help for community energy ideas, helping translate technical energy concepts into accessible, actionable projects for communities.
• Aaron Lally, Director at Vest Energy, who will explore the future of battery storage, how energy storage is reshaping the electricity system, and how community energy can play a central role in that future.
• Dr Vicky Dunn, Managing Director of Grimsby Community Energy, who will set out how locally owned renewable energy and storage are delivering long-term economic, environmental and social value for our area.
• Lee Douglas – Strategic Careers Hub Lead, The Careers & Enterprise Company – Lee leads the Greater Lincolnshire Careers Hub, working with schools, colleges and employers to improve careers education and link young people to local opportunities aligned with regional economic priorities. His work focuses on system-wide careers support and helping employers connect with future talent.

With support from the Lincolnshire Careers Hub, a cohort of local students will also be attending the morning sessions, giving them the opportunity to learn about renewable energy, community ownership and the careers emerging in the net-zero economy. Their presence reflects a simple truth: young people are the future of community energy, and this event is part of building that pipeline of local talent.

Grimsby Energy Collective 2026 is designed for anyone interested in:

• Community energy and local ownership
• Battery storage and the future energy system
• Sustainable business and investment
• The Humber’s net-zero economy