CHEAPER, GREENER, ELECTRICITY.

MADE IN TOTNES.

What is Energy Local Totnes?

Save money on your energy bills and support locally generated green electricity.
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?

Savings will be different from household to household and will depend on how you match your energy use to the local generation, and the amount of peak and off-peak electricity you use.

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 15p/kWh for the electricity they use, which is shared between members,

2. Time of Use Tariff (TOUT)

If demand exceeds local generation, 100Green steps in, charging a rate based on time of usage.

Energy Local Tariff

A standing charge of 63.35p/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 15p/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 further develop it over the next two years.

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’d like to discuss selling your surplus solar energy to the Club, please get in touch.

Want to sell your surplus solar power to your community?

Energy Local Totnes offers you a unique opportunity to sell your surplus solar power 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**: 63.35p/day

Initial Tariff***: 63.35p/day

Match Tariff
Energy Local Tariff: 15.00p/kWh

Initial Tariff: N/A

Time of Use Tariff: 12am – 7am all week
Energy Local Tariff: 15.71p/kWh

Initial Tariff: N/A

Time of Use Tariff: 4pm – 8pm weekdays
Energy Local Tariff: 36.19p/kWh

Initial Tariff: N/A

Time of Use Tariff: All other times
Energy Local Tariff: 23.83p/kWh

Initial Tariff: N/A

Standard Unit Rate
Energy Local Tariff: N/A

Initial Tariff: 23.83p/kWh

Economy 7: Standing Charge
Energy Local Tariff: N/A

Initial Tariff: 63.35p/day

Economy 7: Day Unit Rate
Energy Local Tariff: N/A

Initial Tariff: 24.83p/kWh

Economy 7: Night Unit Rate
Energy Local Tariff: N/A

Initial Tariff: 15.71p/kWh

Annual Club Membership Fee
£10.00/year
*All prices exclude VAT. The Match Tariff and Time Of Use Tariffs are guaranteed until 31 March 2025. 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 2025. 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).
Electricity Standing Charge
63.35p/day
63.35p/day
Match Tariff
15.00p/kWh
N/A
Time of Use Tariff: 12am – 7am all week
15.71p/kWh
N/A
Time of Use Tariff: 4pm – 8pm weekdays
36.19p/kWh
N/A
Time of Use Tariff: All other times
23.83p/kWh
N/A
Standard Unit Rate
N/A.
23.83p/kWh
Economy 7: Standing Charge
N/A
63.35p/day
Economy 7: Day Unit Rate
N/A
24.83p/kWh
Economy 7: Night Unit Rate
N/A
15.71p/kWh
Annual Club Membership Fee
£10.00/year
£10.00/year

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.
Map showing area covered by the Totnes Electricity Substation

2. Get a free smart meter installed

Having a smart meter is a requirement of membership. A smart meter makes it easy for you to monitor your consumption and match it with the availability of locally-generated renewable power. It can take a while to get a smart meter fitted so, if you don’t have one already, please request a free one from your current supplier as soon as possible.

3. Prepare to switch suppliers to 100Green

We’ve partnered with 100Green to provide your energy at times when Club demand exceeds local generation. You must therefore be either not on a fixed term contract, or willing to potentially pay an exit fee to your present energy supplier before we request your switching details.

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.

To speed up the process, please share this page as much as you can; the faster we can attract new members, the faster you’ll be saving money, supporting your community and helping the environment 🙂

Share via: Facebook | WhatsApp | Email

5. Celebrate the Big Switch!

When the switch to 100Green happens, you’ll be put onto the their Initial Tariff (which is higher than the Club’s Match Tariff). When the Energy Local Totnes Club goes live, you’ll then receive your welcome pack and access to your online Dashboard – plus you’ll be enjoying all the benefits of the Club’s special energy tariff. If you haven’t had your smart meter fitted when the Club goes live, you’ll remain on 100Green’s Initial Tariff until you have one.

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.

Ready to become a founding member?

We’re initially inviting 200 households and small businesses to join us in this exciting endeavour to make the most of the resources on our doorstep – as a consumer, a generator 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!

Come and talk to us!

We’ll be having stalls at Totnes Market Square in the new year, where we’ll be able to explain in person how the Energy Local Totnes Club can help you benefit most from community electricity.

We’ll also be accepting new members, and be able to guide you through the registration process.

 

We currently have the following dates booked in at the market:

  • Friday 24th January
  • Friday 14th February
  • Saturday 22nd March

Hopefully see you there!

Email us: totnes@energylocal.co.uk

Find out more about Energy Local Clubs

Energy Local Totnes Limited. Co-operative Society Registration Number: 5030. 107 High Street, Totnes, Devon, TQ9 5SN.