A community energy group in East Sussex has secured a £40,000 grant from the government's Rural Community Energy Fund to lead the village out of "volatile costs and dirty air associated with oil and LPG boilers."
East-Sussex-based community energy co-operative Energise Sussex Coast (ESC) is working together with social enterprise Brighton & Hove Energy Services Co-operative (BHESCo) on the project.
ESC and BHESCo will collaborate with RINA, an international energy consultant, along with the support of the Crowhurst Parish Council, in crafting a decarbonisation plan for the village, which includes the design of modern, low-carbon heat networks and renewable heating systems.
The heat networks are expected to be installed at no upfront cost for the residents and will be either partly or wholly owned by people or businesses in Crowhurst.
Crowhurst residents have already signed up for free heat analysis of their properties and would be participating in a detailed energy use survey.
Kate Meakin, director of projects and operations at ESC, said rural communities across the country are now looking to transition to a fossil-fuel-free future that also benefits them. "We hope this project will lead to local residents benefiting from warmer homes, clean energy and cheaper bills," she added.
Crowhurst Parish Council Chairperson Ros Day said that securing the grant represents the first step towards attaining the village's goal to become carbon neutral by 2030.
BHESCO founder and CEO Kayla Ente also said: "We are hoping that our partnership with the parish council will bring the people of the village together in a united effort to transition the village from dirty oil heating to clean, affordable renewable heat."
