Post-Event Report: Grimsby Energy Collective – Inspiring Cooperative Growth

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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.