People Power: Totnes Energy Club Delivers Significant Savings to Members

Energy Local Totnes, a community renewable energy club operating in the Devon South Hams, has reported significant cost savings for its 48 current members, while continuing its drive to reach 200 founding members by November.

The initiative, with the 330kW hydro plant on Totnes Weir as its primary generator, delivered an average rate of 17.3p/kWh* for members in May, representing a 30% saving compared to the average UK electricity price.

How it Works

When members match their electricity usage to when local renewable energy is being generated, they are charged at 15p/kWh*. If club demand exceeds local supply, energy supplier 100Green steps in, and members move onto 100Green’s Time of Use Tariff. Over the course of a year, members can expect to save between 10% and 30%, with members who shift their usage to times when local generation is high saving the most.

Energy Local Totnes is a collaboration between Totnes Renewable Energy Society (TRESOC), Energy Local CIC and 100Green. It is the first Energy Local club to be scalable, with the capacity to add more consumers as generation capacity increases.

Expanding Beyond Hydro: Solar Power Integration

The club is progressing with plans to diversify energy sources by integrating solar power into its offering. A 35kW commercial solar installation is scheduled to come online in June, with domestic solar generators invited to sell electricity into the club once technical integration is complete.

Vision for Community-Led Energy Future

“Energy Local Totnes isn't just about individual savings for members,” says TRESOC managing director, Dr Sally Murrall-Smith, “it's about proving that community-led energy initiatives work. Our members are helping to build the foundation for real systemic change in how communities generate and share energy, and actively participate in reshaping Britain's energy future toward one that's more equitable, sustainable, and community-controlled.”

How to Join

To join Energy Local Totnes, residents must be prepared to switch electricity supplier to 100Green, have a smart meter installed (or be willing to have one fitted at no cost) and be located within the Totnes Electricity Substation area shown below.

To start the process, register your interest at https://energylocal.org.uk/user/register

Free Tech Benefits for New Members

Currently, the club has a Redress Energy Innovation Grant, which enables new members to receive free additional benefits, including smart plugs (worth £15) that automatically operate appliances during low-cost periods, and Consumer Access Devices (worth £80) for real-time energy monitoring. To receive these free devices, new members need to be ready to switch to 100Green by November 2025.

National Recognition on BBC's The One Show

On Tuesday 3rd June, Energy Local Totnes was featured on The One Show on BBC 1, in a short film that captures the essence of what Energy Local Totnes is doing and how its members are all part of a pioneering community initiative.

The episode is available to watch until July 3rd on BBC iPlayer via this link, with the feature beginning at 1m 27s.

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Upcoming Information Sessions

The Energy Local Totnes team will be at Totnes Market Square on Friday 20th June between 9am and 2.30pm to explain the switching process and answer questions about membership.

Additional drop-in sessions are held at the Totnes Climate Hub, 36 Fore Street, on the second Friday of each month between 1pm and 3pm.

More information about Energy Local Totnes is available at www.tresoc.co.uk/elt

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*All prices exclude VAT

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