Acomb Community Energy is set up as a Community Benefit Society. This is a not‑for‑profit, community owned legal structure that exists to deliver long‑term public benefit.
Unlike a private company, it is run for the wider community rather than shareholders, and if there is any surplus it must be reinvested in community or environmental projects.
It also gives local people a democratic say in how the organisation is run and protects the project’s assets so they can only ever be used for community benefit.
A Community Benefit Society is a not‑for‑profit structure designed for organisations that serve a community purpose. For Acomb Community Energy, this means:
Any surplus is used in line with our community purpose.
Each member has one vote.
Registered with the Financial Conduct Authority.
An asset lock prevents the assets being sold for private gain.
Including how decisions are made and how income is applied.
This structure ensures the project is run openly, responsibly and for the long term.
The project earns income by selling electricity. This income is used in a set order:
Maintenance, insurance and essential operating costs
Loans and shareholders
Members decide at the Annual General Meeting how it is used in line with our community purpose.
If you would like to find out more, please view our governance documents.
We intend to offer a local electricity tariff once the array is generating. The aim of this tariff is to supply cheaper electricity when it comes from our solar array, which could be about 40% of the year, with a saving in your electricity bill. We will share more information about how it works and how to access it in due course. We would welcome an indication of your interest.
The project’s costs to date have been funded by grants. We are applying for more grants to fund the development, and if available, we seek grants to support the construction, however we will also look to raise funding via a Community Share Offer and probably also require a loan. We will notify supporters when we make a Share Offer.