energising community energy
Find out howOur planet needs community energy to thrive. So Younity exists to support a growing sustainable energy movement; one that’s driven by the power and passion of local communities.
Welcome to Younity
Younity is a joint venture between Octopus Energy and Midcounties Co-operative, set up solely to support the community energy sector. We are proud to buy power from community-owned renewable energy projects (over a third of the whole sector by volume!), as well as offer short-term finance for construction costs, grants for groups to develop and even a free volunteering platform to either recruit volunteers or find a group to support!
What is community energy?
As you might have guessed, community energy is power produced at a local-level by communities to be used by the community. Crucially, the energy is produced through renewable sources like wind, solar and water, meaning it’s more kind to our planet. This energy can then be sold through ethical community energy or renewable energy tariffs… and Younity exists to make that happen. In lots of different ways.
What is community energy?Introducing our Powering Communities Fund
Younity is proud to partner with Your Co-op Energy. And for every customer that signs-up to the Co-op Community Power tariff, we’ll donate £10 into our very own Powering Communities Fund to support affiliated community energy groups. It’s a win-win for communities and for the environment too.
How to change your tariffAre you an energy generator?
Set up a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with us to buy your exported energy.
Our latest energy projects
Ripple Energy
Graig Fatha is the first consumer-owned wind farm in the UK, with over 900 members being supplied with green, low-cost electricity.
Aldgate Solar Power
In December 2023, Aldgate Solar Power (ASP) held its final Creative Energy Club of the year and it was a resounding success! The club used art and creativity to make community energy more fun, engaging and inclusive and the results didn’t disappoint.
The event itself was enjoyed by a wide and diverse range of participants. Everyone had the chance to make their own renewable-powered villages out of clay, and afterwards, ASP led a discussion on cooperative values and how they could play a vital role in community energy. In the coming months, ASP is hoping to hire out a private venue, where the final art pieces will be publicly displayed.
Throughout 2023, ASP ran three separate creative energy clubs, with nearly 40 people taking part in creating art and learning about community energy, solar power and the big key players in the energy systems. ASP wanted to think outside the box when developing this club, trying to re-think the culture around energy, by finding experimental ways to make it more engaging to a whole new audience.
Originally, ASP had only planned on running three clubs, but as they were so popular, word spread and spots started to fill up quickly and it quickly became over-subscribed. As a result, we partnered with ASP to extend these projects, to make sure everyone who wanted to get involved got the chance to.
If you are in the local area and you missed out then don’t fear, the Creative Energy Club is also planning to make a return in the Spring so keep your eyes peeled as we will promote it on our events page.
Pant Memorial Institution
In October 2023, the Pant Memorial Hall, with a little help from the Powering Communities Fund, completed its journey to becoming a fully sustainably powered building, by finishing the installation of 28 solar panels across it's roof. Since the additional panels were installed on the entrance lobby roof, the building now generates enough solar energy to be powered throughout the day, night and support the Tesla power wall bank next to the building.
The Hall is run entirely by volunteers, and by partnering with Younity and being awarded the Powering Communities Fund, it’s enabled improvements that mean it can continue to be the heartbeat of this rural community.
Energy Garden
By supporting community groups and delivering gardens and solar projects in London, Energy Garden is taking action against the environmental crisis. With each £1 invested into Energy Garden, it brings a social return worth £11.35.
Bristol Energy Co-operative
Being responsible for the equivalent of 33% of Bristol's solar generation, Bristol Energy Cooperative aims to develop renewable energy and energy efficiency projects for the benefit of the local community.
Our Powering Communities Fund
Apply for support for your next community energy project.
Supporting community-owned projects
Help us shape the future of community energy in the UK.
Updated Upcoming Events
As the world continues to return to normal after COVID-19, we are excited to announce that we are speaking at a variety of events in the coming months!
Get in touch
Join thousands of other community energy supporters and help you make a change and spread positive energy in the UK.
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