How to accelerate your Community Energy project
February 2014Pure Leapfrog registered Charity No. 1112249
Company No. 05534395 registered in England & Wales
Creating the right building blocks
Who are we …
Pure Leapfrog - the leading provider of social investment and professional support to community energy projects in the UK.
We are a business led charity working with Government, investors and communities.
We bring together affordable finance and accessible expertise. – Finance is secured through a credit facility from Big
Society Capital. – Expertise is provided by our professional partner network.
Our mission is to ensure that community energy becomes a significant part of the sustainable energy mix in the
UK.“
“
Pure Leapfrog in numbers
Supported over 100 groups
Working with 4 local authorities
Loaned £1m Over 20 projects
financed Over £6 of benefit
for every £1 loaned 5,000+ hrs of pro
bono professional services
Groups supported
Trusted for collaboration
“
Aim of workshop
Understand what the key components arein delivering a successful Community Energy Project
PETRA (Havering), mission control
Green social impact
Can you combine renewable & energy efficiency projects with delivering social impact?
Dummy scenario
You’ve joined your local group in Sunnyton There are ~100k inhabitants in the locality Mix of social housing stock, industrial parks and
large fields nearby Your vision – Carbon neutral, lowering fuel
poverty
1. The Team
Working group 1
Task: Build a dream team
Consider:Skills requiredHow to recruitAvailable resourcesAddressing motivations
Working group 2
Task: Turnaround a team that has run out of steam
Consider:Stock takeResult of weak teamWhat are opportunitiesHow to remedy
The Team a la Village People
The Technician
Authority figure
Law enforcement Local Hero Commander Logistics
Technical expert Chair/CEO Professional
Services Comms Business Process Admin
Contracts negotiator. Technology
expert
Big picture. Can round up, marshal and
lead the team
Knows the law.
Can work a spreadsheet
Public engagement.
PR and Marketing
Planner. Sees things through to
the end
Attention to detail.
Negotiates risks
* You can mix and match
Mixed motivations
Tree-hugging £ Bottom Line! Politicking Well-being
What excites one person may or may not interest another. Play to each others strengths!What excites one person may or may not interest another. Play to each others strengths!
Long game
What are some of the long term issues?
2. Business Planning
Working group 1
Task: Outline the plan of action
Consider:StakeholdersRisksValue propositionWhat does success look like?
Working group2
Task: Outline pitfalls of getting it wrong
Consider:What can go wrong?RisksCommercial vs volunteer run enterprise?What does failure look like?
Risks
What are some of the risks?
Value proposition
Why you?
3. Key Stakeholders
Working group 1
Task: Create a pitch to a local authority
Consider:What do you need to cover?Approach - community group vs commercial entity?What do you bring to the table?Who do you need to engage?
Working group2
Task: You are a local authority. How do you respond?
Consider:Who needs to sign off?What are the risks?What are the processes?What are the pros and cons?
The Local Authority PoV
What are the pitfalls?
Go forth!
What’s next?
Successful ingredients
Commercially savvy
Good story to tell Addressing local
needs A passionate team
with a long view Adaptable Keeping it simple
Team Building
Where to go:Online: Project DirtAdvertise e.g. supermarketWord of mouthTown hall meetingsLocal fairs
Supporting organisations
Pure Leapfrog Share Energy Energy4All Scene Network Energy Saving Trust Low Carbon Hub Co-ops UK Co-op Enterprise Hub Repowering
Wrapping up
Any Questions?
Eden House, 23-25 Wilson St, London, EC2M 2TETel: +44 (0)20 7825 4141
www.pureleapfrog.orgPure Leapfrog registered Charity No. 1112249
Company No. 05534395 registered in England & Wales