Reflections on a Year of Impact, Partnership and Momentum
As we reach the end of 2025, it feels like the right moment to pause and reflect on what has been an extraordinary year for Staffordshire Community Energy.
At its heart, community energy is about people working together to create practical solutions to shared energy challenges. This year has shown just how powerful that approach can be when strong partnerships, local insight and a clear social purpose come together.
Celebrating collaboration and recognition
One of the highlights of 2025 has been the recognition received at several points throughout the year for our collaborative work with University Hospitals of the Midlands NHS Trust (UHNM) and Beat the Cold. Being recognised through three separate awards created a number of proud moments for everyone involved, not because of the accolades themselves, but because each one reflects the real and lasting impact this partnership is having for people across Staffordshire.
These awards recognised an approach that goes beyond energy generation alone, linking clean energy, health and fuel poverty support in a way that is practical, compassionate and place-based. Working alongside NHS partners and frontline organisations has helped ensure the benefits of community energy are felt where they matter most, in homes and communities under pressure from rising costs and cold, inefficient housing.
A major milestone at Lichfield Leisure Centre
2025 also marks a significant operational milestone for Staffordshire Community Energy, with the solar installation at Lichfield Leisure Centre now complete.
This project represents months of partnership working, technical delivery and persistence. It will reduce carbon emissions, cut energy costs for an important public facility and generate long-term income to support community benefit. Importantly, it also provides the foundation for our next community share offer, launching in the new year.
Through this share offer, local people will have the opportunity to invest directly in the Lichfield project, helping to own and support a visible piece of clean energy infrastructure in their community. It is a clear example of community energy in action, enabling people to back projects they can see, trust and take pride in, while keeping the benefits local.
Looking ahead with confidence
As we look towards 2026, there is a strong sense of momentum. Alongside the forthcoming share offer linked to Lichfield Leisure Centre, we have a healthy pipeline of further projects in development across Staffordshire, each with the potential to deliver carbon savings, financial resilience and meaningful social value.
We are also excited about the Staffordshire Energetic Communities project, which will begin to take shape in 2026 following initial scoping and early conversations this year. This work will support communities to play a more active role in shaping their local energy future, building skills, confidence and collective action at neighbourhood level.
Thank you
All of this progress is down to the commitment of our partners, supporters, investors, board members and the delivery team behind Staffordshire Community Energy. Your belief in what community energy can achieve is what turns ambition into action.
2025 has shown that community-led energy is not just viable, it is vital. As Chair, I am immensely proud of what has been achieved this year and optimistic about what lies ahead.
Neil O’Brien
Chair, Staffordshire Community Energy
