From creative thinkers to local steering groups to new board members – it's people that are driving forward a better energy future. Read on to learn how they've been doing it recently and how you can get involved, including:

• Repowered Community Newham at one year – See how the residents of one borough are building a greener, fairer future
• Retrofit Ambassadors get started – You are invited to drop in and learn all about retrofit
• Making 2030 festival – Visitors imagined new worlds along with the London School of Solarpunk
• Local co-operatives making a splash – our family of community energy groups grows again!
• The Repowering London board is bigger – Meet our new Directors

A Community Steering Group is at the heart of Repowered Community Newham

The Repowered Community Newham project is already one year into its five-year programme. Funded by The National Lottery Community Fund, the project is demonstrating how Repowering London’s flagship clean-energy neighbourhood model can create a greener future for urban residents.

This project puts the community at the heart of energy reform, and the year has seen community participation grow and grow. Community Energy Newham (CEN) volunteers are actively engaged in spreading the word. A Community Steering Group has been established, with communities offering their voice, connections and local knowledge. With the help of project partner LSBU, the Steering Group has chosen a preferred location for a heat network, giving priority to Little Ilford ward. It is now working with Dark Matter Labs to develop a legal structure and governance model for a local community energy services company.

Thanks to the efforts of all of its partners, including Newham Council and Glasgow Community Energy, Repowered Community Newham is bringing energy reform to the borough – including solar energy, energy efficient home improvements, training opportunities and more. 

Retrofit Ambassadors will spread the word about the benefits of retrofit

Repowering London is spreading the word on retrofit with our Retrofit Ambassador programme. Developed in collaboration with University of East London, Architects Climate Action Network, and Royal Docks Centre for Sustainability, the programme will empower residents to engage their friends, family and wider community with the often complex topic of retrofit: from why it matters and how it works, to understanding local support pathways.

The Ambassadors will be co-delivering an open-door, drop-in event during London Climate Action Week - a Community Retrofit Open Day. Come along for an introduction to retrofit, energy efficiency advice, and to see what retrofit could look like for a house like yours. The event is family friendly and refreshments will be provided!

Where: Durning Hall, Forest Gate, E7 9AB
When: Saturday, 27 June, 2 - 5pm

We'll see you there...

A zine making workshop was part of the programme at Making 2030

With thanks to The Regarm Projects, Windows of Hope, Monkey Sound System, Energy Garden and The Tabernacle, without whom the festival would not have been possible.

Members of Southwark Community Energy are ready to get to work

Two new community energy co-operatives are now underway! Ealing Community Energy and Southwark Community Energy have both officially been registered as not-for-profit community benefit societies. This means that a total of 10 active cooperatives have been established across the capital with the support of Repowering London.

Meanwhile, Community Energy Barnet has brought in new Director Alex Turcu and a new Acting Director, Helen Davies. It is working towards installing solar panels on Burnt Oak Leisure Centre as its first project in the borough.

And Community Energy Newham (CEN) is sowing the seeds for its next share offer, which will aim to raise £140,000 to bring solar installations on three schools into local ownership. The pledge period is open now – get involved using the button below. 

(Left to Right) Will Walker, Ajai Ahluwalia, Marco Brunone, Alison Freeman

The Repowering London Board of Directors has made a substantial addition to its strength. Four new members – Ajai Ahluwalia, Marco Brunone, Alison Freeman and Will Walker – have joined existing Board members Felix Wight, William Heath, Becky Payne and Syed Ahmed (Chair).

All four have experience as Directors at community energy co-operatives supported by Repowering London. And they bring a wealth of experience from their varied careers.

Will currently leads on policy and advocacy at Ashden, pushing for the government's Warm Homes and Local Power Plan to deliver for communities. Marco is working to help the UK's energy infrastructure adapt to a net zero, low-carbon future. Alison is a sustainability and social impact professional working in the corporate space across a variety of industries. Ajai is a renewable energy advocate having worked in wind power for over 15 years.

Want to learn more about our Board? Click the button below.

We hope you enjoyed reading this update from Repowering London. Please share this newsletter with anyone you feel would also be interested in Creating Local Energy.

Repowering London, 234-244 Stockwell Road, Brixton, London, Greater London SW9 9SP