East Durham Trust has been awarded a significant £1.12 million from the Climate Action Fund through The National Lottery Community Fund. This funding will drive forward Energising East Durham, a community-led initiative designed to tackle the energy crisis and climate emergency in the 22 towns and villages along the Durham coast.
This transformative project will build community-owned energy networks and infrastructure, equipping households and community facilities across East Durham to be more resilient against future climate and energy challenges. With the goal of creating sustainable and equitable energy systems, Energising East Durham will empower residents to lead the way in addressing the dual crises of energy instability and climate change. The project aims to reduce household energy footprints by 20%, foster greater community ownership of energy generation and distribution, and create a sustainable model for energy democratisation that can inspire other left-behind communities.
At the heart of Energising East Durham will be a dedicated community energy team, tasked with providing direct support to households in need. This team will help residents switch energy providers, adopt renewable solutions, and access government programmes such as the Green Deal, enabling them to reduce their energy costs and environmental impact. A flagship Beacon Hub will be established in Horden to serve as a national model for just decarbonisation, while ten Energiser Hubs will be set up in local community facilities to drive neighbourhood-led energy activities. In addition, a network of 200 volunteer ‘Energisers’ will work at the grassroots level to engage their communities in climate action and energy democracy.
This transformative project will build community-owned energy networks and infrastructure, equipping households and community facilities across East Durham to be more resilient against future climate and energy challenges. With the goal of creating sustainable and equitable energy systems, Energising East Durham will empower residents to lead the way in addressing the dual crises of energy instability and climate change. The project aims to reduce household energy footprints by 20%, foster greater community ownership of energy generation and distribution, and create a sustainable model for energy democratisation that can inspire other left-behind communities.
At the heart of Energising East Durham will be a dedicated community energy team, tasked with providing direct support to households in need. This team will help residents switch energy providers, adopt renewable solutions, and access government programmes such as the Green Deal, enabling them to reduce their energy costs and environmental impact. A flagship Beacon Hub will be established in Horden to serve as a national model for just decarbonisation, while ten Energiser Hubs will be set up in local community facilities to drive neighbourhood-led energy activities. In addition, a network of 200 volunteer ‘Energisers’ will work at the grassroots level to engage their communities in climate action and energy democracy.
The Community Energy Fund has awarded £139,140 to support a series of feasibility studies that will unlock major opportunities for the village of Horden. These studies will focus on three community-owned renewable energy solutions: Stage 1 development of an Anaerobic Digester, alongside detailed Stage 2 feasibility assessments for both Wind and Solar energy generation.
The primary objective is to explore the installation of community energy infrastructure capable of powering the Horden Heat Network, while also supplying additional local businesses and off-takers.
This investment represents a vital next step in driving economic growth and regeneration in Horden. By facilitating community ownership, the programme will attract significant inward investment, create new skilled employment opportunities, and stimulate wider local enterprise. The development of energy assets will help regenerate the village, strengthen the local economy, and ensure the long-term benefits are retained by the community, positioning Horden as a leader in energy-led regeneration.
The primary objective is to explore the installation of community energy infrastructure capable of powering the Horden Heat Network, while also supplying additional local businesses and off-takers.
This investment represents a vital next step in driving economic growth and regeneration in Horden. By facilitating community ownership, the programme will attract significant inward investment, create new skilled employment opportunities, and stimulate wider local enterprise. The development of energy assets will help regenerate the village, strengthen the local economy, and ensure the long-term benefits are retained by the community, positioning Horden as a leader in energy-led regeneration.
TRANSFORMING MINEWATER TO HEAT
CREATING REGENERATION & JOBS
COMMUNITY OWNED SO ALL PROFITS FOR HORDEN
MONEY FOR THE COMMUNITY
Following the publication of a range of feasibility studies into the use of mine water heat in Horden for business use it is evident that the establishment of a community energy organisation will raise money for local regeneration. There is already a pump in place to raise the water to the surface which is a major step already in place. Installation of a heat exchange pump at the pump head would mean that the heat in the water can be captured and transformed into energy.
The most essential aspect of the project is to place a community owned entity between the power generated by the renewable sources and its use, ensuring that the energy produced directly benefits the community of Horden.
The most essential aspect of the project is to place a community owned entity between the power generated by the renewable sources and its use, ensuring that the energy produced directly benefits the community of Horden.
- Creation of mine water heating scheme in Horden
- Potential to support Food growing, Fungiculture & Business Start-up
- Direct link to jobs and regeneration
As part of ensuring future energy use in a safe and renewable way we are investigating what a network of community batteries. This network would harvest renewable sources and retain this in a set of largescale batteries, storing this up for future use. This would be for community facilities and could offset or replace the use of energy from the national grid.
- Network of community batteries linked to renewable sources
- Energy for community facilities
- Future vision
- Scoping required
- Direct link to PowerED
- Long term - within 5/8 years
