What is Energising East Durham?
Energising East Durham is a community-led programme designed to tackle the energy crisis and climate emergency in the towns and villages along the Durham coast. The programme helps residents in East Durham build their own community owned energy networks so that energy can be generated and distributed locally. Energising East Durham also has a dedicated team of energy advisors which provide direct support to households to reduce energy use, increase energy efficiency, save money on energy bills, and access renewable solutions.
Why does Energising East Durham exist?
Energising East Durham exists because many people are living in fuel poverty. Fuel poverty can occur due to a combination of low household income, high energy costs and homes being energy inefficient. The programme exists not just to tackle local fuel poverty, but also as a broader effort to respond to the climate change and global warming. The UK has committed to net zero carbon emissions by 2050, meaning energy use in homes must be more efficient to slow down climate change.
Why is Energising East Durham important?
The programme is important for our local area because having community owned energy networks will ensure East Durham is less reliant on energy from other countries which can quickly change price. Our energy advisors can also help you save money on your bills by checking that you’re on the best deal and suggest ways to use less energy at home. By joining our events and activities, you can learn more about energy, meet new people, take part in volunteering, and make friends in your community. Nationally, the programme is important because it can help the UK work towards its goals to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
What is a community owned energy network?
An energy network refers to a system of energy generation such as a wind turbines and solar panels. When the infrastructure is community owned, it means that the profits go back into the community rather than being taken out by big companies. The community has direct control over the financial benefit and can decide where those profits are reinvested, so that the benefits are felt within the local area.
Who delivers it?
Energising East Durham is delivered by a dedicated team at East Durham Trust, based in Peterlee. The team work across East Durham and co-ordinate with many community partners across the area. Our programme is delivered through Energiser Hubs across East Durham. These are community centres where you can access energy advice and take part in energy-related activities. Currently, our Energiser Hubs are located at Blackhall Community Centre, Focus Easington the Welcome Centre, Shotton Community Hub and Greenhills Centre in Wheatley Hill.
Who funds it?
Energising East Durham is funded by a significant £1.12 million from the Climate Action Fund which comes from the National Lottery Community Fund.
What is our impact?
The programme launched in November 2024, and has steadily grown as we established partnerships, built community connections, and raised awareness. As of March 2026, we have provided direct energy advice to over 70 households, engaged over 400 residents through activities at our Energiser Hubs, and reached over 75k people on social media. Our work has been showcased at major events, including the Durham University Greenspace Festival, local authority climate summits, knowledge exchange events at Redhills in Durham, and we were honoured to be invited to Whitehall in London to present the Horden mine water project to UK government officials.
Where does Energising East Durham work?
Energising East Durham works across the 2 towns and 25 villages of the East Durham coast. These include Blackhall, Easington, Haswell, Haswell Plough, Heselden, Cold Heselden, Horden, Hutton Henry, Ludworth, Murton, Peterlee, Thornley, Hawthorn, Trimdon Colliery, Trimdon Grange, Trimdon Station, Trimdon Village, Seaham, Shadforth, Sherburn Hill, Sherburn Village, Shotton, South Hetton, Station Town, Wheatley Hill, Wingate. If you live in these areas, our friendly energy advisors are ready to offer support and guidance. Everyone is welcome to join the activities at our Energiser Hubs, where you can get involved, learn, and connect with your community.
Energising East Durham is a community-led programme designed to tackle the energy crisis and climate emergency in the towns and villages along the Durham coast. The programme helps residents in East Durham build their own community owned energy networks so that energy can be generated and distributed locally. Energising East Durham also has a dedicated team of energy advisors which provide direct support to households to reduce energy use, increase energy efficiency, save money on energy bills, and access renewable solutions.
Why does Energising East Durham exist?
Energising East Durham exists because many people are living in fuel poverty. Fuel poverty can occur due to a combination of low household income, high energy costs and homes being energy inefficient. The programme exists not just to tackle local fuel poverty, but also as a broader effort to respond to the climate change and global warming. The UK has committed to net zero carbon emissions by 2050, meaning energy use in homes must be more efficient to slow down climate change.
Why is Energising East Durham important?
The programme is important for our local area because having community owned energy networks will ensure East Durham is less reliant on energy from other countries which can quickly change price. Our energy advisors can also help you save money on your bills by checking that you’re on the best deal and suggest ways to use less energy at home. By joining our events and activities, you can learn more about energy, meet new people, take part in volunteering, and make friends in your community. Nationally, the programme is important because it can help the UK work towards its goals to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
What is a community owned energy network?
An energy network refers to a system of energy generation such as a wind turbines and solar panels. When the infrastructure is community owned, it means that the profits go back into the community rather than being taken out by big companies. The community has direct control over the financial benefit and can decide where those profits are reinvested, so that the benefits are felt within the local area.
Who delivers it?
Energising East Durham is delivered by a dedicated team at East Durham Trust, based in Peterlee. The team work across East Durham and co-ordinate with many community partners across the area. Our programme is delivered through Energiser Hubs across East Durham. These are community centres where you can access energy advice and take part in energy-related activities. Currently, our Energiser Hubs are located at Blackhall Community Centre, Focus Easington the Welcome Centre, Shotton Community Hub and Greenhills Centre in Wheatley Hill.
Who funds it?
Energising East Durham is funded by a significant £1.12 million from the Climate Action Fund which comes from the National Lottery Community Fund.
What is our impact?
The programme launched in November 2024, and has steadily grown as we established partnerships, built community connections, and raised awareness. As of March 2026, we have provided direct energy advice to over 70 households, engaged over 400 residents through activities at our Energiser Hubs, and reached over 75k people on social media. Our work has been showcased at major events, including the Durham University Greenspace Festival, local authority climate summits, knowledge exchange events at Redhills in Durham, and we were honoured to be invited to Whitehall in London to present the Horden mine water project to UK government officials.
Where does Energising East Durham work?
Energising East Durham works across the 2 towns and 25 villages of the East Durham coast. These include Blackhall, Easington, Haswell, Haswell Plough, Heselden, Cold Heselden, Horden, Hutton Henry, Ludworth, Murton, Peterlee, Thornley, Hawthorn, Trimdon Colliery, Trimdon Grange, Trimdon Station, Trimdon Village, Seaham, Shadforth, Sherburn Hill, Sherburn Village, Shotton, South Hetton, Station Town, Wheatley Hill, Wingate. If you live in these areas, our friendly energy advisors are ready to offer support and guidance. Everyone is welcome to join the activities at our Energiser Hubs, where you can get involved, learn, and connect with your community.
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
