Energy Local
Energy Local is a UK Community Interest Company that operates community energy clubs, matching local small-scale renewable generation with household demand via a proprietary match tariff billing mechanism, serving UK households and small renewable generators through licensed supplier and community energy organisation partnerships.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2014
- HeadquartersBangor, United Kingdom
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Energy Local does
Energy Local CIC Limited is a UK Community Interest Company (registered 2017, with operations dating to its 2014 founding club in Bethesda, Wales) that designs and operates community energy clubs matching local small-scale renewable generation (hydro, solar, wind, anaerobic digestion) with local household demand through a proprietary 'match tariff' billing mechanism. When a household consumes electricity at the same time as local generation, it is charged a pre-agreed, fairer local price via a partner licensed supplier (currently 100Green and Green Energy UK; previously Octopus Energy); at other times a Time-of-Use Tariff applies. The underlying technology stack is built on open-source OpenEnergyMonitor (emoncms), with Energy Local's bespoke club module and dashboard hosted publicly on GitHub, supported by in-home hardware (Consumer Access Device, Smart Plug, Home Hub) that links smart meters and appliances to the platform for demand-side response.
Energy Local monetises primarily through grant funding (including a £400,000 National Lottery Community Fund award in 2022 and the 2023 Innovate UK Inclusive Innovation Award), supplier administration fees, club membership fees (c. £8/year per member), and emerging transaction margin on Match Tariff supply. Customers are organised via a three-sided ecosystem: licensed supply partners, community energy organisations acting as local club founders (TRESOC, EcoDyfi, Dorset Community Energy, Hook Norton Low Carbon, Acocks Greener, ACES Settle, IOSCV, Corwen Electric Cooperative), and DNO partners (SP Energy Networks, Northern Powergrid). As of late 2023, the network encompassed 400+ households across 15+ named clubs spanning Wales, England, and (newly) Scotland, with recent expansion into community heat networks and EV/bidirectional storage via projects such as Tanygrisiau (Eryri) and the Acocks Green living laboratory in Birmingham.
Energy Local firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Energy Local
- Legal name
- Energy Local CIC Limited
- Website
- https://energylocal.org.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2014
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Energy Local is a UK Community Interest Company that operates community energy clubs, matching local small-scale renewable generation with household demand via a proprietary match tariff billing mechanism, serving UK households and small renewable generators through licensed supplier and community energy organisation partnerships.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Energy Local industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Community Energy Services
- NAICS
- Wind Electric Power Generation (221115), Solar Electric Power Generation (221114), Geothermal Electric Power Generation (221116), Electric Power Generation (22111), Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution (2211)
- SIC
- Electric Services (4911), Cogeneration Services & Small Power Producers (4991)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Green Tariffs & Utility Renewable Supply Programs (EUAGADAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Electric Cooperatives (Rural/Member-Owned Utilities) (EUADABAC), Electric Distribution System Owners (Wires-Only Companies) (EUADABAI), Demand Response & Load Flexibility Services (EUAMAJAF)
Keywords
Where Energy Local is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Bangor
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Energy Local business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Club Membership Fees: Annual club membership fee paid by each member to cover running costs (printing, AGM, accounting) of the Energy Local Club. £2/year for the club itself, plus £6/year Energy Local CIC admin fee (Isles of Scilly example).
- Supplier Administration Fees: Annual fee charged by the partner electricity supplier (e.g., £60/year at 100Green) to administer each member of the club, recovered through the standing charge.
- Grant and Public Funding: Revenue from grants and government funding such as the £400,000 National Lottery Community Fund grant (2022-2025), Innovate UK Inclusive Innovation Award, BEIS/DESNZ funding for DSR/Smart Energy Savings projects, European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development, UK Shared Prosperity Fund, Heat Network Delivery Unit (HNDU) funding, Net Zero Hub community energy fund, and Energy Industry Voluntary Redress Scheme funding.
- Energy Supply Margin (via Match Tariff): Margin retained on electricity supplied to club members through the partnership with licensed suppliers (Octopus Energy historically, 100Green and Green Energy UK currently). Members pay a Match Tariff unit price when consuming local generation and a Time-of-Use Tariff otherwise.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Energy Local Isles of Scilly - Standing 71.53p/day, Match 10.00p/kWh, TOUT 15-27.08p/kWh |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Energy Local Totnes - 300kW Hydro, Match 15.50p/kWh, TOUT TBD by 100Green |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Energy Local Dyffryn Banw - 475kW Anaerobic Digestion, Match 13.00p/kWh |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Energy Local Machynlleth - 60kW Hydro, Match 8.50p/kWh |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels10 records
Energy Local product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Energy Local operates community-owned Energy Local Clubs that match local small-scale renewable generation (hydro, solar, wind, anaerobic digestion) with local household demand through a proprietary "match tariff" pricing mechanism. Members pay a lower unit rate when their electricity use coincides with local generation and a Time-of-Use Tariff at other times. The service is delivered via the Energy Local Dashboard (built on OpenEnergyMonitor), in-home IoT hardware (CAD, Smart Plug, Home Hub), and partnerships with licensed electricity suppliers (100Green, Green Energy UK, formerly Octopus Energy).
Product overview
Energy Local is a single unified service — the Energy Local Clubs model — supported by a member-facing platform and a small set of hardware modules. The core service is community energy clubs that match local small-scale renewable generation (hydro, solar, anaerobic digestion, wind) with local household demand through a 'match tariff' and time-of-use tariff. The Energy Local Dashboard (Emoncms, powered by OpenEnergyMonitor) is the member platform that visualises generation, consumption, scores, savings, and appliance tips. Hardware modules — the Home Hub, Smart Plug, and CAD (Consumer Access Device) — connect a home's smart meter and appliances to the dashboard so that demand can be scheduled to local generation. The Bill Explainer complements the dashboard by clarifying how bills are calculated.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Energy Local Clubs: Community-based clubs that enable local households to source their electricity from local small-scale renewable generators at a fairer match price, with a Time of Use Tariff at other times.
- Energy Local Scilly
- Energy Local Totnes
- Energy Local Dyffryn Banw
- Energy Local Machynlleth
- Energy Local Glyndwr
Products and services
- Energy Local Clubs Community-owned electricity clubs that match local small-scale renewable generation (hydro, solar, anaerobic digestion, wind) with local household demand at a pre-agreed match price. Each club is anchored by a named local generator and a licensed partner supplier. Members must switch supplier (e.g., 100Green) to join and benefit from match tariffs.
- Energy Local Dashboard Member-facing web platform that displays real-time household electricity use, local generator output, time-of-use tariff indicators, household and club scores (out of 100), savings breakdowns, and tips for shifting demand. Available per club and bilingual English/Welsh.
- Home Hub In-home IoT device that schedules appliances (dishwashers, washing machines, EV chargers, heat pumps, storage heaters) to run when cheaper, locally generated club electricity is available, supporting demand-side response.
- Smart Plug Smart plug device that allows members to schedule and monitor individual appliances via the Energy Local Dashboard to align usage with local generation and cheaper tariff windows.
- Consumer Access Device (CAD) In-home device that connects a member's smart meter with the Energy Local user dashboard, transmitting usage data so households can be matched with local generation and billed against match or time-of-use tariffs.
Quantifiable outcome
- Lower electricity bills for members via match tariff - e.g., Machynlleth 8.50p/kWh, Scilly 10p/kWh, Corwen 10c/kWh, Park Roupell 6.3c/kWh when local generation is used.
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Energy Local
Customer profileNamed customers16 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Energy Local technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
AI capability3 records
Feature5 records
Energy Local partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
27 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.
- 100Greenflagship100Green is the licensed electricity supplier partner for Energy Local Totnes, Isles of Scilly, North Oxfordshire and Dyffryn Banw clubs. Supplies 100% renewable electricity and administers the Match Tariff / Time-of-Use Tariff structure, charging members an annual supplier administration fee (e.g., £60/year in Isles of Scilly).
- Octopus EnergyflagshipOctopus Energy was Energy Local's original licensed electricity supplier, powering the first wave of clubs (Bethesda, Bridport, Machynlleth, Corwen, Crickhowell, Llandysul, Capel Dewi, Park Roupell) since 2020/2021. A dedicated Octopus team (George Tompkins, Noel Walker, Connie Daxbury) handled Energy Local billing and operations. Octopus is being phased out for new clubs in favour of 100Green and Green Energy UK.
- TRESOC (Totnes Renewable Energy Society)flagshipTRESOC is the community partner that set up and operates Energy Local Totnes using their 300kW Totnes Weir Hydro generation on the River Dart. TRESOC acts as the local club operator and member-facing organisation.
- Dorset Community EnergyflagshipDorset Community Energy partners with Energy Local on the Bridport club, powered by Peter Bailey's 50kW wind turbine at Salway Ash. Dorset Community Energy commissioned 1.5MW of installed capacity. Pete West serves as Energy Local Bridport Club Secretary.
- EcoDyfiflagshipEcoDyfi is the community partner operating Energy Local Machynlleth using the 60kW Esgairweddan hydro scheme on a farm in Pennal.
- Cwmni Bro FfestiniogflagshipCwmni Bro Ffestiniog is partnering with Energy Local and Cyngor Gwynedd (Gwynedd Council) on the Tanygrisiau Heat and Power project in Eryri (Snowdonia), developing a community-owned heat network using a water source heat pump from a local reservoir.
- Gwynedd Council (Cyngor Gwynedd)flagshipCyngor Gwynedd is a partner with Energy Local and Cwmni Bro Ffestiniog on the Tanygrisiau Heat and Power project. The project secured Heat Network Delivery Unit (HNDU) funding and Energy Industry Voluntary Redress Scheme funding.
- Hook Norton Low Carbon Ltd (HNLC)flagshipHook Norton Low Carbon Ltd is establishing Energy Local North Oxfordshire Club in Hook Norton and Sibfords area (OX15) using 1000kW of locally generated solar. Funded via the Community Energy Fund. Supplier will be 100Green.
- Acocks Greener CICflagshipAcocks Greener CIC is working with Tyseley & Hay Mills and Acocks Green communities (Birmingham) to develop Energy Local South East Birmingham Club, anchored by rooftop solar at Fox Hollies Forum. Includes 'living laboratory' work with schools, EV chargers and batteries.
- Action Climate Emergency Settle (ACES)flagshipACES Settle has set up the Energy Local Settle Club with solar generation from a local soft furnishings business and a Catholic church. The club launched in 2025 under retired GP and Club Secretary Paul Kelly.
- Isles of Scilly Community Venture CIC (IOSCV)flagshipIOSCV is setting up and operating Energy Local Isles of Scilly using the 40kW Airport Solar Garden. The club is part-funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, with Cornwall Council as Lead Authority.
- Corwen Electric CooperativeflagshipCorwen Electric Cooperative runs the Energy Local Glyndwr initiative, which Rhug Estate (12,500-acre organic estate near Corwen, Wales) joined to support its sustainable agriculture programme. Powers the Energy Local Corwen club using Bonwm hydro.
- Green Energy UK (GE UK)flagshipGreen Energy UK is a licensed electricity supplier committed to 100% renewable sources. First used by Energy Local Totnes, allowing clubs to include multiple generators and small businesses. Totnes profile details supplier partnership with 100Green.
- OpenEnergyMonitorflagshipEnergy Local's energy monitoring and club dashboard software is built on the open-source OpenEnergyMonitor (emoncms) platform, with Energy Local-specific customisations and code publicly hosted on github.com/energylocal.
- SP Energy NetworksflagshipSP Energy Networks is the Distribution Network Operator (DNO) collaborating with Energy Local on network flexibility and demand-side response. They invested in a LoRaWAN network in Bethesda to collect meter data cost-effectively in remote areas. Mary Gillie presented at SPEN's Preparing for Net Zero conference.
- Northern PowergridflagshipNorthern Powergrid has launched a Community DSO Project to support the development of Smart Local Energy Systems, enabling communities in the North East, Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire to follow their own decarbonisation agenda. Energy Local is engaging to expand and set up new clubs in the area.
- Community Energy EnglandcoreCommunity Energy England is the sector body that runs the Community Energy Fortnight campaign and the Community Energy Awards. Energy Local founder Mary Gillie was elected as a Director. Energy Local contributes to policy advocacy (P441) via CEE.
- Community Energy Wales (Ynni Cymunedol Cymru)coreCommunity Energy Wales is a partner in the Pioneering Places project with Energy Local. Benedict Ferguson from CE Wales gave evidence alongside Dr Mary Gillie to the Commons Energy Security and Net Zero Committee.
- Community Energy ScotlandcoreEnergy Local works with Community Energy Scotland (Ynni Cymunedol yr Alban) to support community energy groups in Scotland. Mhairi Tordoff joined Energy Local in January 2025 to expand clubs across Scotland and Northern England.
- Climate.CymrucoreEnergy Local is a partner of Climate.Cymru and founder Mary Gillie is a facilitator of the campaign, which advocates for strong commitments ahead of COP26 and beyond.
- Ipsos MORI and Imperial College LondonminorFunded by BEIS (now DESNZ), Energy Local worked with market research company Ipsos MORI and Imperial College London on the Smart Energy Savings (SENS) Innovation Competition to verify the savings made by Energy Local Club participants.
- Partneriaeth OgwenminorPartneriaeth Ogwen is a community partner in the Bethesda area supporting the original Energy Local club and Pioneering Places project. Co-hosted 'Panad ac Ynni' community event in Bethesda in January 2020.
- South West Net Zero Hub (Power for People)minorEnergy Local collaborates with the South West Net Zero Hub and Power for People as part of the Bridport-organised Bath Community Energy Conference and broader policy advocacy for local energy markets.
- Sheffield Community EnergyminorEnergy Local participated in Sheffield Community Energy's March 2024 conference on community energy, with potential Energy Local members sharing their experience.
- South Denbighshire Community PartnershipminorSouth Denbighshire Community Partnership was shortlisted for the Community Energy Enterprise Award at the Green Energy Awards 2022 for its work with Energy Local Corwen to tackle fuel poverty.
- Bath & West Community Energy (BWCE)minorBWCE hosted an Energy Local training session in Bath in July 2023 to develop future Energy Local clubs in the area.
- Planet MarkminorPlanet Mark worked with Rhug Estate to complete Scope 3 emissions calculations as part of Rhug's sustainability programme that joins the Energy Local Glyndwr initiative via Corwen Electric Cooperative.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights9 records
Energy Local competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Piclo: Piclo (formerly Open Utility) runs a matching platform connecting independent renewable generators with corporate off-takers, and is now extending into local flexibility markets for DNOs. It is the closest direct peer to Energy Local's local energy matching model, although it operates at a larger off-taker scale rather than community/household scale.
- Ripple Energy: Ripple Energy enables community ownership of utility-scale wind and solar farms in the UK, allowing households to buy shares and receive cheaper locally-sourced renewable electricity. It is a directly comparable UK community-energy business model, though Ripple owns large assets rather than matching distributed community-scale generation as Energy Local does.
- Econnect Energy: Econnect Energy is a UK consultancy and software provider that helps communities and developers assess, finance and operate community renewable energy schemes, including energy matching and local supply. Comparable to Energy Local in the UK community energy services space, though its primary model is consultancy rather than club operation.
Broad incumbents
- Ecotricity: Ecotricity is a long-established UK renewable energy supplier and generator with a strong green brand, comparable to Good Energy as a broad incumbent serving renewable-aware households — a customer base that overlaps with Energy Local's match-tariff proposition.
- 100Green: 100Green is the current licensed electricity supplier partner for several Energy Local Clubs (Totnes, Scilly, North Oxfordshire, Dyffryn Banw), administering the Match Tariff and Time-of-Use Tariff. As a smaller 100% renewable supplier it is a relevant comparable for the supply-side economics of Energy Local's model.
- Good Energy: Good Energy is a UK 100% renewable electricity supplier that buys directly from independent renewable generators. It competes for the same community-renewables-aware customer base as Energy Local Clubs and overlaps in supplier/distribution channels, but as a broad incumbent rather than a community-matched local market.
- Green Energy UK: Green Energy UK is a UK licensed 100% renewable electricity supplier committed to small-scale generators, and is one of Energy Local's current supplier partners (notably enabling clubs to include multiple generators and small businesses). Comparable as a smaller renewable-supply incumbent in the same ecosystem.
- SmartestEnergy: SmartestEnergy is a UK supplier that buys electricity from independent renewable generators, including small-scale and community schemes. It competes with Energy Local on the route-to-market for community-scale renewable generation and offers an alternative commercial off-take path.
Emerging players
- Tide (formerly Electron): Tide (formerly Electron) builds blockchain-based infrastructure for local and distributed energy markets, enabling peer-to-peer and community energy trading at grid edge. It overlaps with Energy Local's local energy market thesis and is a relevant emerging peer in the local flexibility / community energy trading category.
Others
- PassivSystems: PassivSystems is a UK smart home energy management platform that helps households optimise consumption around time-of-use and renewable tariffs. It is an adjacent/ecosystem player rather than a direct competitor, with overlap in demand-side response and consumer energy optimisation comparable to Energy Local's Home Hub stack.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Energy Local social profiles
Digital presenceEnergy Local compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Energy Local financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Energy Local leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
Energy Local subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries4 records
Energy Local funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Energy Local M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Energy Local
What does Energy Local do?
Energy Local operates community-owned Energy Local Clubs that match local small-scale renewable generation (hydro, solar, wind, anaerobic digestion) with local household demand through a proprietary "match tariff" pricing mechanism. Members pay a lower unit rate when their electricity use coincides with local generation and a Time-of-Use Tariff at other times. The service is delivered via the Energy Local Dashboard (built on OpenEnergyMonitor), in-home IoT hardware (CAD, Smart Plug, Home Hub), and partnerships with licensed electricity suppliers (100Green, Green Energy UK, formerly Octopus Energy).
Is Energy Local a public or private company?
Energy Local is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Energy Local founded?
Energy Local was founded in 2014. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Energy Local based?
Energy Local is headquartered in Bangor, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Energy Local make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Club Membership Fees are the primary driver. The others are supplier Administration Fees, grant and Public Funding and energy Supply Margin (via Match Tariff).
Who are Energy Local's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Piclo, Ripple Energy and Econnect Energy. Broad incumbents are Ecotricity, 100Green, Good Energy, Green Energy UK and SmartestEnergy. Tide (formerly Electron) is listed as an emerging player. PassivSystems is listed as an others.
Does Energy Local have an API?
No public API is recorded for Energy Local.
What industry is Energy Local in?
Energy Local's product category is Community Energy Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUAGADAJ, Green Tariffs & Utility Renewable Supply Programs, with a secondary code of EUADABAC, Electric Cooperatives (Rural/Member-Owned Utilities). Its NAICS code is 221115 and its SIC code is 4911.