CHEAPER, GREENER, ELECTRICITY.
MADE IN TOTNES.
As Featured on BBC One’s The One Show
On Tuesday 3rd June 2025, Energy Local Totnes was featured on The One Show, in a short film exploring how our community energy club is benefitting members’ pockets, the local community, and the planet. The film succinctly captures the club’s goals and benefits in under five minutes.
© 2025 Screenhouse Productions
What is Energy Local Totnes?
Energy Local Totnes is a community-led club that enables you to source your energy from – and contribute to – our locally generated solar and hydro supply.
By matching local energy demand to local generation, the Club offers households and small businesses the chance to pay less for power, while helping to build a resilient, environmentally-conscious energy network that benefits your pocket, your community and your planet.
Who should join Energy Local Totnes?
Electricity Consumers
Save on bills, and help support the development of locally generated power in your community
Electricity Generators
Earn from the solar power you generate while helping to build a resilient, low-carbon community
How much can I save?
We estimate you could save around 10% – 30% on your electricity bills. Club members on the Energy Local Tariff who actively shift their usage away from early evenings, and to times when local generation is high, are likely to have lower bills.
The Energy Local Tariff consists of two main components:
1. Match Tariff
When local solar and hydro power are generating, Club members pay a rate of 15.5p/kWh for the electricity they use, which is shared between members,
2. Time of Use Tariff (TOUT)
Energy Local Tariff
A standing charge of 71.53p/day applies. All prices exclude VAT. See the full breakdown of fees and charges below.
How does the community benefit?
It’s important to note that Energy Local Totnes is not a licensed energy provider – it’s a community endeavour to help us all take control of our electricity bills while supporting local renewable energy.
When you use locally generated solar or hydro, the 15.5p/kWh you pay is more than would usually be received by the generator. This keeps money local, and the generator’s increased funding is invaluable in making local energy a long-term viable option and increasing the community’s energy security.
Who’s behind Energy Local Totnes?
Energy Local Totnes is driven by a partnership between Energy Local CIC, a UK-wide initiative founded by Dr. Mary Gillie, and the Totnes Renewable Energy Society (TRESOC). The Club has also partnered with electricity supply company, 100Green, to facilitate supply and provide additional green energy during periods of high demand.
The Club has received grant funding from Devon County Council to help establish it, and funding from a REDRESS grant from the Energy Saving Trust, to develop it over a two year period.
Where does the local power come from?
Hydro
The Club will be starting off with the renewable electricity generated by the 330kW Hydro power plant on Totnes Weir, the majority of which is owned by Dart Renewables, with a small percentage owned by TRESOC and TRESOC members individually.
Solar
TRESOC has a planned pipeline of community-owned rooftop solar PV projects that, once installed, will sell their electricity into the Club. If you’re a large generator of solar, and you’d like to discuss selling your surplus energy to the Club, please get in touch.
Want to sell your surplus solar power to your community?
If you’re generating significant amounts of solar power, Energy Local Totnes offers you a unique opportunity to sell surplus to your community and earn a higher rate than standard export tariffs.
By joining our community-led energy club as a generator, you can help create a more resilient and sustainable energy system while increasing your income.
When you register your interest in joining Energy Local Totnes, we’ll ask you about your power generation and provide more detailed information.
Fees and Charges*
Electricity Standing Charge
Energy Local Tariff**: 71.53p/day
Initial Tariff***: 55.14p/day
Match Tariff
Energy Local Tariff: 15.50p/kWh
Initial Tariff: N/A
Time of Use Tariff: 12am – 7am all week
Energy Local Tariff: 15.00p/kWh
Initial Tariff: N/A
Time of Use Tariff: 4pm – 8pm weekdays
Energy Local Tariff: 27.08p/kWh
Initial Tariff: N/A
Time of Use Tariff: All other times
Energy Local Tariff: 24.55p/kWh
Initial Tariff: N/A
Standard Unit Rate
Energy Local Tariff: N/A
Initial Tariff: 25.42p/kWh
Economy 7: Standing Charge
Energy Local Tariff: N/A
Initial Tariff: 55.54p/day
Economy 7: Day Unit Rate
Energy Local Tariff: N/A
Initial Tariff: 29.69p/kWh
Economy 7: Night Unit Rate
Energy Local Tariff: N/A
Initial Tariff: 17.20p/kWh
Annual Club Membership Fee
£68.00/year (included in Standing Charge)
*All prices exclude VAT. The Match Tariff and Time Of Use Tariffs are guaranteed until 31 March 2027. The TOUTs will be updated annually.
**The Energy Local Tariff applies once your smart meter has been installed and your premises have been added to the Club.
***The Initial Tariff applies for an initial period until your smart meter has been installed and your premises have been added to the Club (this can sometimes take up to 2 months).
Fees and Charges
Energy Local Tariff
Initial Tariff
All prices exclude VAT.
The Match Tariff and Time Of Use Tariffs below are guaranteed until 31 March 2027. The TOUTs will be updated annually.
71.53p/day
55.14p/day
15.50p/kWh
15.00p/kWh
27.08p/kWh
24.55p/kWh
25.42p/kWh
55.54p/day
29.69p/kWh
17.20p/kWh
£68.00/year (included in Standing Charge)
£68.00/year (included in Standing Charge)
Testimonials
The first Energy Local Club started in a small town called Bethesda, in North Wales, back in 2016. Here’s what their members have to say about their Club…
We used to be on a fairly standard tariff, and largely accepted any bill that came. After being part of the project I’m much more aware of what I use and the importance of it – because there’s something I can do about it. Now I have a direct influence on how much it costs to use my electricity, much more so than before.
– Carwyn Edwards
I think it’s got a lot of different people together, I’ve got to meet a lot of people I didn’t know in the village. There’s a wide range of ages, and with the energy club it’s been nice getting together and discussing ideas for saving energy.
– Donna Watts
I’ve always been interested about environment issues and what we can do. It’s easy to be pessimistic but projects like these give hope for a better world – projects likes this scaled up can make a great difference. It’s exciting to see that we can change our energy mix for the better.
– Tom Simone
How do I join Energy Local Totnes?
1. First, register your interest to join the club
To be eligible to join, your home or business must be connected to the Primary Substation feeding Totnes, within the boundary shown below. We’ll check whether your property is connected when you register your interest in joining.
Please note that the club is currently at capacity, and we cannot accept any new members until new generation is available, which is currently estimated to be Summer 2026.
2. Get a free smart meter installed
3. Prepare to switch suppliers to 100Green
4. Be patient!
Once enough prospective members have submitted their switching details to us, everyone’s details will be sent to 100Green at the same time. It may take a few weeks to reach the threshold but we’ll keep you posted every step of the way. Follow us on Facebook for regular updates.
5. Celebrate the Big Switch!
To help you maximise your use of the Club’s cheap locally generated electricity, we’ll invite you to take part in an energy saving workshop to introduce the Dashboard and offer guidance on shifting demand.
Interested in becoming a member?
We are currently at capacity with over 130 households and small businesses making the most of the resources on our doorstep – as a consumers, generators or both.
If you’re passionate about supporting local renewable energy and being part of a community taking control of its energy future, we’d love you to join us when we introduce new generation into the club. This is likely to happen towards the end of Summer 2026, when new solar arrays at Dart Marine Park come online.
Come and talk to us!
Find out more about Energy Local Clubs
Energy Local Totnes Limited. Co-operative Society Registration Number: 5030. 107 High Street, Totnes, Devon, TQ9 5SN.
