Alone we can do so little
together we can do so much

184t

CO2 saved

537kW

of Solar PV installed

157MWh

Electricity generated so far

Launched in 2016 by a committed group of people determined to deliver locally owned community energy. Award-winning Grimsby Community Energy is a community benefit society (CBS), a form of not-for-profit cooperative owned and run by local people that works for the benefit of the community.

Over the last eight years we have raised, £444,732 of investment to deliver renewable energy across Grimsby, Cleethorpes and North East Lincolnshire, installing 534kW of solar PV (photovoltaic) panels for community organisations, generating 157MWh of clean electricity and saving 184t of CO2.

This place-based approach to energy generation means local community organisations pay less for their energy and everyone who invests in Grimsby Community Energy has a vote in the running of our society. We are proud to have kept our promises to our investors and our community, ensuring we pay members a fair rate of return and creating wider community benefits, including creating jobs and establishing a community fund.

Our team have worked hard to develop our business but there is so much more we can do with your support. We appreciate grant funding from Co-operatives UK Booster Fund, NELC’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund, and the REACH Fund.

Our vision is to reach one megawatt of community owned solar PV by 2026, and we won’t stop there, adding a second megawatt by 2030. So far, we have identified three new sites and one existing site, with more in the pipeline, that could join our solar community with your help.

Our core beliefs and most important values

Who we are…

We are a cooperative, run by members who are dedicated to bringing community energy projects to our local area.

Community Energy is a growing sector in the UK, with hundreds of organisations like ours, tens of millions invested by ordinary people, and megawatts of renewable energy generated.

What we do…

We develop renewable energy projects – such as our recently completed project at CATCH apprentice training centre installing 300kW of solar power.

We raise awareness of the benefits of locally owned community energy.

We believe in developing students, employees and volunteers

How we do it…

Local people and organisations have invested in us to support their community and receive a fair financial return.

We support the local community with our Community Benefit Fund to help assist local charitable organisations

Our Values…

We are owned and democratically controlled by our members. We exists for the benefit of our members, who may be customers, workers, or the wider community.

Every member contributes financially in some way – from investing, working or deciding how to spend its surplus.

It offers education and training to everyone involved, so they can develop the co-op and promote the benefits of co-operation.

We support our communities with our Community Benefit Fund, developing renewable energy sources and helping local organisations on their journey towards net zero.

Our mission…

To reduce energy costs and CO2 emissions by promoting local renewable energy projects. To help our local community become aware of, involved in, and benefit from such projects.

A successful team beats with one heart

Our Board

Dan Clayton

Board Member

Dan is the sustainability manager at the Lincolnshire County Council. He is also a Chartered Environmentalist. Dan has chaired the Board since 2021 and ensures good governance, and collective decision making

Richard Bellamy

Board Member

Richard was a Founding Member in 2016 and brings a wealth of enthusiasm, knowledge and experience to bear. A Trustee of Enrolled Freeman, prime mover of the 400kW solar PV installed on the Freeman St. Market over 14 years and the regeneration of the 22-acre site surrounding.

Dr Geeta Lakshmi

Board Member

Geeta joined our Board in 2021. She is an Associate Professor at the Lincoln
International Business School in the University of Lincoln. She helped set up
Sustainable Hockerton, a community energy company and has remained actively involved.

Adam Lewis

Board Member

Adam joined the GCE Board in 2017. He has a 20 year career in the GB electricity industry and is currently the commercial manager at VPI Immingham, one of Europe’s largest Combined Heat & Power (CHP) plants. He has a business economics degree from Anglia Ruskin university and an MBA from Warwick
Business School.

Roy Horobin

Board Member

Roy became a director in 2021. He is a teacher and an active community campaigner. He is committed to the benefits of green energy and the co-operative business model. He is keen to see Grimsby Community Energy grow and reach an even more diverse group of investors.

Ollie Wilson

Board Member

My current role is the Head of RE100 and Energy Operations, at Climate Group. I look after the running of the RE100 campaign.

My reason for joining the board is that I would love to use my connections and knowledge in this area to help benefit more community focused projects – I’m very much motivated by seeing the social impact renewable projects can have and I feel that Grimsby Community Energy is well placed to offer this.

Stacy Hackford

Board Member

I have previously worked for GCE on a student placement for almost a year in 2023, I know a lot about the company and how it works. I am happy to help out with anything, if ever needed, I joined the board because GCE is brilliant company that help businesses in the local area, and I would like to be a part of that.

Melanie Onn

Board Member

The current MP for Grimsby & Cleethorpes, Melanie serves on the board of various community groups. She joined our Board in 2021 and is a former deputy chief executive of Renewable UK. Melanie has a wealth of contacts and expertise in connection making and managing staff.

Peter Hughes

Board Member

Peter joined our Board in 2020 and brings a wealth of experience from his involvement in the set-up and running of Belchford Community Solar Co-operative, which sits in the beautiful Lincolnshire Wolds.

Dr Vicky Dunn

Board Member

Vicky was a founding Member of GCE in 2016. As a Chartered Environmentalist she has worked in energy and environmental roles throughout her 20yr career. She acts as the Secretary of Grimsby Community Energy. She is paid for her work as managing director via grant funding and some of our own revenue for one day per week, through works double this as a volunteer.