The future is looking increasing bright for a community energy association from Petersfield as a major project in town is live and benefiting neighbours.

It’s been a milestone year for Energise South Downs (ESD) and their ongoing bid to power Hampshire and beyond with locally-owned renewable energy.

The organisation raised £302,000 in just ten days in July through its first-ever community share offer, hosted on the ethical investment platform Ethex.

The funds will be spent on installing rooftop solar panels at Hayling Island Sailing Club, Energique Health & Fitness Centre in Alton and Britannia Reeves Removals warehouse in Petersfield.

The installations will generate around 270,000 kWh of clean electricity each year, cutting 54 tonnes of carbon annually – the equivalent of planting over 2,000 trees.

One of the year’s standout projects has been the partnership between Britannia Reeves and neighbouring Broadway Park, as 140 park homes will be powered by a scheme that went live last week.

Surplus solar power from the Britannia Reeves site will be shared directly with the Broadway Park residents, helping to lower energy bills and support local decarbonisation, a first-of-its-kind collaboration in the area.

The year also saw ESD gain support from Olympic gold medallist sailor Eilidh McIntyre and WWF Youth Ambassador Will Lall.

Founder and CEO Catriona Cockburn said: “This has been a year of proving local people care deeply about the future of energy and generating local renewable energy can have local impact while delivering tangible change amidst the climate crisis.”

ESD is exploring future solar opportunities alongside plans to launch a Community Benefit Fund to reinvest surplus income into social and environmental projects across the South Downs.

Bosses are keen to hear from organisations and businesses who want to support their “rooftop solar PV project progress”.

Email [email protected] or visit www.esd.energy for more.