Community Energy in west Cheshire – from local rooftops to regional solar farms

Overview

West Cheshire is emerging as a vibrant hub for community-led energy generation. These are energy projects that are initiated, owned, and managed by local communities rather than large corporations or government bodies.

Chester Community Energy, Neston Community Energy, and Bretton Hall Solar Farm, demonstrate how community leadership and technical ambition can drive meaningful climate action at a variety of scales.

• Chester Community Energy Ltd. (CCE) is a volunteer-run Community Benefit Society that installs solar photovoltaic (PV) systems on public and community buildings. With over 160 kWp of solar PV installed across nine sites, CCE reinvests surplus income into local sustainability projects and energy education.
• Neston Community Energy Ltd. (NCE) is a newer group focused on developing local electricity generation in the CH64 area. It has undertaken a feasibility study for solar deployment at the Clayhill Landfill Site, which if developed, could demonstrate how brownfield land can be repurposed for clean energy generation.
• Bretton Hall Solar Farm, led by YnNi Newydd, is set to become the UK’s largest community-owned solar farm. Located on the Cheshire-Flintshire border, the site covers 49 hectares of land currently used for sheep grazing, which will continue after construction. The site will retain its important role and capacity in alleviating flood risk in the local area whilst increasing biodiversity, with improved soil structure and management of natural resources and wildlife. The solar farm will generate up to 30 MW of electricity generating c.35million kWhs per year, enough to power 8,000 homes while enhancing biodiversity and offering community share ownership.

Together, these projects span the full spectrum of community energy: from rooftop solar on schools and churches to large-scale solar infrastructure with national significance.

Impacts

Economic:

• Over £150,000 raised through community share offers by Chester Community Energy.
• Bretton Hall Solar Farm represents a £20 million investment with long-term revenue for local reinvestment.
• Host organisations benefit from reduced energy bills and improved financial resilience.

Social:

• 91 members and five volunteer Directors at Chester Community Energy; growing participation in Neston Community Energy’s open meetings.
• Bretton Solar farm will generate employment and training and opportunities for local companies for the work to build and maintain the solar farm.
• Bretton Solar farm will be owned by its membership, the construction finance will be raised and offer shares in the society to local investors and organisations. The development will then be owned by its members on a one member-one-vote basis. After a few years, the project will begin to generate a surplus. 100% of the profits generated will be distributed via a community benefit fund to other projects providing sustainable community benefits.
• Chester Community Energy engage with the local community through educational outreach activities including live solar monitoring tools, school engagement, and public consultations.

Environmental:

• Chester Community Energy have installed over 163 kWp of rooftop solar installed across Chester, saving 30+ tonnes of CO₂ annually.
• Bretton Hall Solar Farm will generate 30 MW of clean electricity, displacing 6800 tonnes of CO₂ every year during the 40-year lifetime.
• Biodiversity enhancements include wildflower meadows, hedgerow restoration, and ecological stewardship on solar farmland.