Community energy is a growing nationwide movement that is putting people at the heart of delivering the UK’s clean power transition. Sometimes described as a “quiet revolution”, community groups, such as Phoenix Energy Community (Phoenix EC), are enabling residents and business owners to take control of their energy future by understanding, generating, using, owning, and saving energy in their communities.
Locally, Phoenix Energy Community is not only raising awareness, but also proactively helping homes and businesses become more energy efficient by collaborating with experts for retrofit solutions and supporting locally generated renewable energy projects in Haddenham, Long Crendon, Thame and Towersey.
Phoenix EC brings together members of Thame Green Living, Greener Crendon, and Zero Carbon Haddenham. The group is also working collaboratively with other local energy organisations and local town, district and county councils towards a shared vision of everyone living and working in energy efficient buildings, powered by locally generated renewable energy.
Real Action on Energy
A key part of Phoenix EC’s work is helping residents and organisations to take real action by offering practical support such as energy advice, guidance on home improvements, and exploration of renewable technologies and community battery options. It also means building partnerships with experts and local groups.
The community energy movement is growing across the UK because it speaks to several concerns at once: energy affordability, climate action, local ownership, and energy security. For households, it means lower bills, warmer homes in winter, and more resilience to future energy shocks (such as those caused by conflicts in Ukraine and Iran). While communities have the chance to shape energy projects to suit local needs.
As more households and organisations in South Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire look for ways to reduce costs and cut carbon, groups like Phoenix Energy Community are helping turn ideas into practical action for homes, businesses, and the wider community.