by tresoc | Mar 28, 2026 | Latest TRESOC News, News
Totnes Renewable Energy Society (TRESOC) has celebrated a remarkable double triumph at the prestigious Regen Green Energy Awards 2026, held on Thursday 26th March at the Bristol Harbour Hotel.
The society took home the Community Energy Initiative Award for its ground-breaking Energy Local Totnes project, while TRESOC’s Managing Director, Dr Sally Murrall-Smith, was jointly awarded the Net Zero Energy Pioneer Award in recognition of her outstanding personal contribution to the development of a net zero energy system.
The Regen Green Energy Awards
Now in their twentieth year, the Regen Green Energy Awards are a leading national celebration of the innovative technologies, pioneering companies and inspiring individuals shaking up the energy system and driving the UK towards a net zero future. The awards bring together the full spectrum of the clean energy sector – from policymakers and network operators to investors, developers and community organisations – and are widely regarded as the highlight of the UK’s clean energy calendar.
Community Energy Initiative Award
The Community Energy Initiative Award – sponsored by National Grid – recognises the role of inspiring community energy organisations across the UK, working to deliver a net zero energy system in a just way. TRESOC received the award for its Energy Local Totnes project.
Energy Local Totnes is a community energy club set up by TRESOC in partnership with Energy Local CIC, the UK-wide initiative founded by Dr Mary Gillie. The club allows households and small businesses within the Totnes electricity substation area to source their power from locally generated renewable energy, currently anchored by the 330kW hydroelectric plant at Totnes Weir. Members benefit from significantly reduced electricity bills – with some saving up to 30% – while local renewable generators receive a fairer price for the power they produce. Energy Local Totnes is the first scalable Energy Local club, allowing additional generators to feed into the club, expanding capacity and membership numbers.
TRESOC and Energy Local CIC are now working to replicate the club in communities across South Devon, demonstrating that local energy markets can deliver real carbon savings, tackle fuel poverty and build community resilience.
Net Zero Energy Pioneer Award – A Historic Joint Win
The Net Zero Energy Pioneer Award recognises the achievements of inspiring individuals who have gone above and beyond to make a real difference in the development of a net zero energy system. In an unprecedented move, this year the award was presented jointly to two recipients: Dr Sally Murrall-Smith, Managing Director of TRESOC and founder director of Energy Local Totnes, and Dr Mary Gillie, the founder of Energy Local CIC.
“I’m thoroughly delighted – both that Energy Local Totnes has been recognised, and that I get to share the Net Zero Energy Pioneer Award with Mary Gillie, whose work made all of this possible. There was stiff competition, and I feel genuinely honoured,” said Sally Murrall-Smith. “But this really shows what communities can achieve when they come together, so a huge amount of credit must go to the TRESOC team and members, Energy Local CIC, and the progressive councillors and government bodies who believed in us.”
Dr Murrall-Smith has been instrumental in shaping and delivering the Energy Local Totnes project from concept to reality, navigating complex technical, regulatory and financial challenges to create a working local energy market that is already benefiting the Totnes community. Dr Gillie, whose vision and determination created the Energy Local model, has established a network of community energy clubs across England and Wales and championed local energy markets at the highest levels of policy debate.
by tresoc | Mar 11, 2026 | Latest TRESOC News, News
TRESOC recognised for pioneering local energy club and inspirational leadership.
The Totnes Renewable Energy Society (TRESOC) has been shortlisted for two awards at the leading national celebration of innovative technologies, pioneering companies and inspiring individuals shaking up the energy system – the Regen Green Energy Awards 2026.
Formed by a group of local residents in 2007, TRESOC has been shortlisted in the Community Energy Initiative category for its ground-breaking Energy Local Totnes (ELT) project. In addition, TRESOC’s Managing Director, Dr Sally Murrall-Smith, has received an individual nomination in the Net Zero Energy Pioneer category.
Energy Local Totnes is a community-led club that enables local households and businesses to source their energy from locally generated solar and hydro. By matching local energy demand to local generation, the club offers participants the chance to pay less for power, while helping to build a resilient, environmentally-conscious energy network that benefits their pocket, their community and the planet.
Since going live, ELT members are already saving up to 30% on their electricity bills, when compared to the national average price of 25p/kWh. In 17 months of operation, 72% of club demand has been met by local renewables, with an average price paid by members of 17.9p/kWh (exc. VAT). In total, members have saved a total of £19,960, and £35,846 has been paid to local generators, keeping that money in the local community.
As the first Energy Local club to partner with 100Green, ELT is breaking new ground. Its innovative approach allows multiple local generators and even small businesses to participate, creating a more inclusive and sustainable energy model. The project has increasingly been cited as a national model for community-owned energy, and was featured on BBC One’s The One Show, in a short film exploring how the community energy club is benefitting members’ pockets, the local community, and the planet.
Dr Sally Murrall-Smith, Managing Director of TRESOC and founder director of Energy Local Totnes, said:
“To be shortlisted for two awards at the Regen Green Energy Awards is genuinely humbling. Energy Local Totnes exists because of the hard work of so many people – our members, our partners, and the community of Totnes that has believed in this from the start. Being recognised on a national stage, competing alongside some of the biggest names in clean energy, is a real statement that community-powered energy is not just a nice idea – it works, it saves people money, and it keeps wealth in local hands. I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve built together.”
The double nomination is particularly significant for a society rooted in the values of democratic community ownership, local economic resilience, and renewable energy development. TRESOC has also recently been awarded funding from Great British Energy to develop a 100kW community-owned solar installation at Dart Marine Park in partnership with South Hams District Council, with surplus energy to be sold directly into Energy Local Totnes – further expanding the club’s reach and impact.
The 2026 Green Energy Awards ceremony will take place on Thursday 26th March at the Bristol Harbour Hotel, Bristol.
by tresoc | Sep 26, 2025 | Events, Latest TRESOC News, Membership, News
Members and Friends, please Join us on November 11th at Totnes United Free Church, 56 Fore St, Totnes, TQ9 5RU for an evening of reflection, planning, and community. Doors open at 6.30pm with proceedings beginning promptly at 7pm. As always, we’ll have tea, mince pies, and plenty of engaging discussion waiting for you.
This is your opportunity to learn about what we’ve accomplished together over the past year and to help shape our vision for what’s coming next. Your questions, insights, and involvement are what drive TRESOC forward, and we’re eager to hear from you as we plan our strategy for the year ahead.
For our meeting to proceed, we need at least 55 members present to achieve quorum – and honestly, we’d be delighted to see every single one of you there! This evening is all about ensuring our work continues to reflect your values and serves your interests effectively.
Can’t make it in person? No problem – but please don’t let your voice go unheard! We encourage all members who cannot attend to please complete the online Proxy Voting Form. Given that TRESOC requires a 10% member vote under our rules, each and every vote truly matters.
Alternatively, use the Proxy Voting Form link below to print a copy you can complete by hand. Simply print it, add your signature, and return it to us at TRESOC, 107 High Street, Totnes, TQ9 5SN, or scan and email it to admin@tresoc.co.uk.
Planning to attend? Wonderful! Just drop us a line at admin@tresoc.co.uk to register.
Keep an eye out for the Directors’ Report and our latest Accounts summary, which we’ll be distributing to all members ahead of the meeting. You’ll also find links to these documents below.
We look forward to seeing you there!
by tresoc | Jun 26, 2025 | Events, Latest Blog Post, News
Join us at a talk at The Mansion on Wed July 9th at 7pm, at which Dr Sally Murrall-Smith explores how local community energy can benefit your pocket, your community and your planet, and how TRESOC is helping to guide Totnes into a more sustainable and resilient energy future.
Sally will also be discussing the origins of the TRESOC initiative, Energy Local Totnes, its performance to date, and what’s next for the pioneering local energy club – as featured on The One Show, available to view at www.tresoc.co.uk/elt.
So if you live in or around Totnes, and you’re keen to learn how we can all make the most of the valuable resources on our doorstep, this is the event for you – as it is if you live outside of Totnes and want to set up your own Energy Local club in your area.
There are only 20 places available for this talk, with tickets available at: https://bit.ly/tresoc-talk
Community Energy in Totnes: Wed July 9th, 7pm, at The Mansion, 36 Fore Street, Totnes, TQ9 5RP. Totnes Weir Hydro – photo © 2025 Dart3D.
by tresoc | Jun 5, 2025 | News
On Tuesday 3rd June, Energy Local Totnes was featured on The One Show on BBC 1, in a short film exploring our local energy club’s benefits to pocket, community and planet. The feature captures the essence of what Energy Local Totnes is doing and how our pioneering members are all part of something truly ground-breaking.
Watch now at: https://www.tresoc.co.uk/elt
Back in early March, presenter Lucy Siegle and the crew spent the day with us, filming at the Totnes Weir hydro and in the homes of some of our members, as you’ll see in the film.
The day culminated at The Royal Seven Stars Hotel, where a large group of enthusiastic members gathered, each being interviewed by Lucy, who grew up in Totnes. Unfortunately, those latter interviews didn’t make it into the final edit, but we’re extremely grateful to all the loyal club members who were able to offer their support throughout the day – it’s a prime example of a community really coming together for the common good.
From the cutting room floor: Energy Local Totnes members at the Royal Seven Stars Hotel, ready for their close-ups!
More from the cutting room floor: Lucy Siegle prepares to interview Energy Local Totnes Energy Advisor, Jem Friar
Receiving national coverage for our community energy club is extremely valuable as we seek to encourage new members to join. Energy Local Totnes currently has 48 members, and our goal is to sign up a total of 200 founding members by November this year. This short film is an excellent introduction to Energy Local Totnes, and we would appreciate it if you could share the link with your family, friends and neighbours, to demonstrate that with their help we can actively participate in reshaping Britain’s energy future toward one that’s more equitable, sustainable, and community-controlled.
Learn more about Energy Local Totnes or register your interest in joining.
by tresoc | Sep 25, 2024 | News
Totnes Renewable Energy Society (TRESOC) support the new onshore wind turbine development at Bigbury, linked to an Octopus Energy fan club.
TRESOC believe that more onshore wind should be developed in the South Hams and welcomes any model that encourages this. The development of local wind resources is a way for communities to become more energy dependant and reduce their reliance on fossil fuels. Ideally, these wind resources would be 100% community owned, however, few communities have the financial resources, skills and risk appetite needed to develop a turbine. To make small projects economically viable they need to be linked to some type of local supply model such as an Energy Local Club, which we are developing in Totnes, or an Octopus Energy Fan Club.
More clean and green renewable energy on the system in this area can only be a good thing and we hope the project is successfully developed.
The TRESOC Board
Learn more from Bigbury Net Zero’s project booklet
by tresoc | Dec 4, 2023 | Latest TRESOC News, News
It was great to see those of you who made it to this year’s AGM on 13th November! Click the link below to see the draft minutes from the meeting…
by tresoc | Mar 16, 2023 | Latest TRESOC News, News
On the 24th March TRESOC will proudly launch the South West’s first Smart Local Energy System, Energy Local Totnes (ELT), a new economic driver for the development of local renewable energy.
Energy Local CIC has been setting up clubs around the country that help create local markets for power. They designed technology that uses smart meter data to allow households to club together to show they are using local, clean power when it is generated. The households then agree a price with local generators that’s better for the generators as well as reducing their own bills. For more information on how Energy Local clubs work click here.
Green Energy (GE) UK are acting as the partner energy supplier who will ensure there is enough power for the households in the club when there is not enough local electricity generated.
Totnes Town Council have officially signed a GE UK contract to supply the excess from the 15kW solar PV array on the Civic Hall, into the club. GE UK are now doing the technical work that it takes to become their energy supply company. 35 people have already registered an interest in becoming part of the club, and these will be the first customers. GE UK will start to sign these customers over at the beginning of April.
The number of customers in the club needs to balance the amount of generation. Jem Friar, the Totnes Energy Local advisor will be responsible for this matching. To start with, we will be able to sign up 10-15 people, to use the power from the Civic. Soon after the club is in operation, Harrison’s Garage intend to join the club, as they have installed a new 30kW system on the roof of their garage. This should mean roughly another 15-20 people can join, depending on the modelling. As more generation joins the club, balanced by more customers, the club can grow. This is real innovation at work. It will be the first Energy Local Club in the country to be able to grow in this way.
Energy Local Totnes will be its own co-operative, and totally independent of TRESOC, although TRESOC will be a generator member. It will have its own board, made up of generator and consumer members, who will annually set the match price for the club. The match price is the price that the generator and consumer gets, when a consumer matches their energy demand to local generation.
This is a pilot scheme, so we are looking to test the Energy Local concept locally to make sure it really will save people money before we can roll it out on a larger scale. For the first year, only solar PV will be selling into the club. With the increased rate that generators receive for their electricity many new local renewable energy projects will become economically viable. This is something that TRESOC is working hard to explore and make the most of.
To read more about the prices that the club has set for energy use, and to find out more about registering your interest head to the Energy Local Totnes page.
by tresoc | Oct 19, 2022 | Events, Latest TRESOC News, News
We are pleased to invite you to our Annual General Meeting at 7.00p.m. on Monday 14th November 2022. Members, friends and the public are welcome to attend, ask questions and help us develop our strategy for the year ahead – we’d like to welcome all of you! Our goal – as always – is that you are aligned with, and endorse, the efforts we are making on your behalf.
The Directors’ Report and a summary of our latest Accounts to 31st March 2022 will be sent out to members prior to the AGM, or you can download them via the links below. A signed copy of the accounts has been submitted to the Financial Services Authority, and will be available here prior to the AGM. In order to attend, email admin@tresoc.co.uk to register and receive the link.
If you are a member and are unable to attend, it is vital you arrange a Proxy Vote. The Rules of TRESOC require 10% of members to vote at the AGM and, with 560 members, every vote counts. Please download and sign the Proxy Voting Form and put through the door at – or post to – TRESOC, 107 High Street, Totnes, TQ9 5SN, or scan and email to admin@tresoc.co.uk.
by tresoc | Jul 6, 2022 | Latest TRESOC News, News
We have now appointed an Energy Local Advisor/co-ordinator, Jem Friar, who will be responsible for establishing the Energy Local Totnes Co-operative. If people want to register their interest, they can go onto the Energy Local Totnes page on the Energy Local website: Totnes | Energy Local.
Jem will be working on the project for approximately 6 months. The project has been made possible thanks to grant funding received by TRESOC from Devon County Council to establish an Energy Local Club to buy locally generated renewable energy, which will then be sold through the club at a discounted rate. Local people and businesses will be invited to join the club to benefit from reduced cost electricity and Jem will be working alongside Energy Local CIC to support the club.
by tresoc | Jul 6, 2022 | Latest TRESOC News, News
Hannah is a Senior Associate at Foot Anstey solicitors and is a member of their dispute resolution team specialising in property litigation. Her key areas of interest include enforceability of restrictive covenants and easements.
Hannah works for clients across a variety of sectors including large retailers, high net worth individuals, and landed estates. In all cases she aims to provide clear and practical advice to clients and enjoys tailoring this advice to suit each client whether they’re a multi-national company or an individual.
Sadly, Stephanie Burns has had to step down due to time commitments, but we are very grateful to her for her support over the last 2 years.
Find out more about who’s who at TRESOC on the About Us page
by tresoc | May 20, 2022 | Job, News
TRESOC is seeking an Energy Local Totnes Co-ordinator, to work with the team on the Totnes Energy Club. Approx. 100 hours’ work undertaken over the project set-up time (anticipated to be approx. 6 months to 1 year, beginning in June 2022). Please send applications to admin@tresoc.co.uk by 12.00 noon, 10th June 2022.
TRESOC has received grant funding from Devon County Council to establish an Energy Local Club to buy locally generated renewable energy, which will then be sold through the club at a discounted rate. Local people and businesses will be invited to join the club to benefit from reduced cost electricity. The co-ordinator will be responsible for membership and work with Energy Local CIC to support the club. The successful candidate will receive training at the end of June.
Role Description:
Scope of work:
Activities of the Energy Local Co-ordinator
- Attend one face to face and one online training day with Energy Local C.I.C.
- Create a local marketing and engagement plan to recruit the required number of households and small businesses to the Energy Local Club.
- Create promotional materials and information based on resources supplied by Energy Local C.I.C.
- Management of the Energy Local portal; creating a Club page on the portal and using the portal to monitor and manage registrations to the Club.
- Informing and corresponding with potential Club members; in person, via phone and email and sending bulk communications using MailChimp.
- Recruit Co-operative Directors to represent the Club and work with Energy Local to register the Co-operative with the FCA.
- Adhere to Energy Local ethos and guidance when using the Energy Local Toolkit, portal and Dashboard.
- Ensure sensitive participant information is kept in accordance with data protection legislation including GDPR.
