Staffordshire Community Energy wins national award for pioneering fuel poverty project
Staffordshire Community Energy has been named the winner of the Community Energy Initiative at this year’s Regen Green Energy Awards, recognising its innovative work in tackling fuel poverty while helping to reduce carbon emissions.
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"We are absolutely thrilled to have won this award," said Mike Kinghan MBE, Founder of Staffordshire Community Energy. "This recognition reinforces the value of community-led energy solutions that don’t just cut carbon but improve lives."
Keep Warm, Keep Well is a collaboration between Staffordshire Community Energy, University Hospitals of the North Midlands Hospitals NHS Trust and fuel poverty charity Beat the Cold, linking 300kWp of solar PV on NHS buildings with fuel poverty support, benefiting 1,300+ households, saving 412 tonnes of CO2, cutting emergency hospital readmissions by 38% and reducing NHS costs. This project sets a new standard for community solar and offers a vital safety net for vulnerable households.
The Regen Green Energy Awards 2025 took place on Thursday, March 27, at Bristol's Harbour Hotel, celebrating the forefront of innovation in the UK's sustainable energy sector.
Lead judge Cathy McClay FREng praised SCE’s project for its breadth and ambition, describing it as “an outstanding example of a community energy project where the benefits extend well beyond green energy.”
"It stood out for its innovative model, linking clean energy with public health and delivering measurable improvements in both fuel poverty and patient wellbeing," she said. "It’s a replicable, inspiring model for others to follow.”
Merlin Hyman, CEO of Regen, added: “Across the UK, inspiring people are leading pioneering projects and paving the way to a zero-carbon energy system. The Green Energy Awards celebrate these achievements and encourage us all to transform how we power our lives and heat our homes.”
The project stands as a compelling example of how cross-sector partnerships can deliver lasting social and environmental impact. Staffordshire Community Energy has partnered with both Beat the Cold and UHNM NHS Trust to help bridge the gap between health, energy, and community.
This award-winning pilot is now being expanded, with additional solar panel installations planned for 2025 and a new community share offer set to launch in the summer. For more
information, please visit staffscommunityenergy.org.uk to sign up for the latest news.
