News Letter
Summer Show
Tendring Community Energy Newsletter
Summer highlights, autumn events and ways to get involved in local energy action.
In this issue: a message from our Chair, news from our new Clacton office, summer community activity, practical energy-saving support, September events, updates from Jaywick Energy Hub, and simple ways you can support community-owned energy in Tendring.
A Message from the Chair
From Kevin Barnes, Chair of Tendring Community Energy
It is remarkable to think how far Tendring Community Energy has come in such a short time.
What began with a simple belief — that local people should have a greater say in how energy is generated, used and understood within our communities — is steadily becoming something very real.
Over recent months we have continued to support residents with practical energy advice, home visits and help for households struggling with energy costs. We have been out in our communities, developed new partnerships and continued working on opportunities for locally owned renewable energy projects across Tendring.
We are also beginning an exciting new chapter at the Jaywick Energy Hub, strengthening our presence in an area where accessible, trusted and independent energy support can make a genuine difference.
But Tendring Community Energy was never intended to be something delivered by a handful of people on behalf of the community. The ambition is to build an organisation that belongs to the community and grows with it.
That is why membership matters.
Every new member strengthens our voice and helps demonstrate that people across Tendring want a different approach: one where more of the benefits from energy remain locally, where vulnerable households can access practical support, and where our towns and villages can participate directly in the transition to cleaner, more affordable and more locally controlled energy.
There is still a great deal to do, and we are only at the beginning of what I believe Tendring Community Energy can become.
Thank you to everyone who has supported us, worked alongside us, volunteered their time or simply stopped to have a conversation with us.
I look forward to seeing what we can build together.
Kevin Barnes
Chair
Tendring Community Energy
Summer in the Community — and an Exciting Autumn Ahead
What a summer it has been for Tendring Community Energy!
Over the past few months, we have been out and about across the Tendring community, meeting residents, supporting local events, sharing practical energy advice and, most importantly, listening to the people who make our communities what they are.
As our Chair, Kevin Barnes, recently said, community energy is about much more than solar panels and wind turbines – it is ultimately about people. And that is exactly what we have been seeing this summer.
A New Home for Tendring Community Energy
One of the biggest milestones this year has been moving into our new community office at:
16 Station Road, Clacton-on-Sea, CO15 1SX
The office officially opened on 4 June 2026 and gives us a permanent base where residents can come and talk to us, find out about energy-saving opportunities, get advice and discover how they can become involved in our work.
Having a physical presence in the community is really important to us. We want Tendring Community Energy to be accessible – not just online, but face-to-face and locally.
So, if you are passing Station Road, please pop in and say hello!
Taking Energy Advice into the Community
Throughout the summer we have continued to take our message beyond the office. From community gatherings and local events to conversations with residents and partner organisations, we have been showing how small changes can make a real difference to household energy costs. Our work includes practical energy-saving advice, help understanding funding opportunities, support for community projects and the development of new renewable energy opportunities across Tendring.
Our aim is simple:
Lower bills. Warmer homes. Stronger communities. Local energy.
A Summer of Events
Summer has given us some fantastic opportunities to meet people in relaxed and informal settings.
We have been particularly pleased to take part in local community events, including St Osyth Summer Sounds, where Tendring Community Energy joined other local organisations and community groups.
These events are about much more than handing out information. They give us the opportunity to listen. People tell us about the challenges they are facing with energy bills, heating their homes, making their properties more efficient and understanding the sometimes confusing world of grants and energy schemes. Every conversation helps us understand what Tendring needs.
Making a Difference — One Home at a Time
Our Winter Warmth & Resilience work has also demonstrated what practical community energy support can achieve. The project involved 52 home visits using thermal imaging, supporting around 158 residents with advice and practical measures designed to make homes warmer and more energy efficient.
Residents received support such as draught-proofing, radiator reflectors, smart plugs and LED lighting, with many reporting that their homes felt warmer and that they felt more confident about managing their energy. This is exactly the sort of practical, people-focused approach that we want to build on.
Celebrating 2 Years in Jaywick
Jaywick Energy Hub has just celebrated 2 years in Jaywick by holding a community event offering craft, art, music and a free BBQ.
Click here to read the special thank you to Jaywick Thankyou Jaywick – Tendring Community Energy Limited – Local – Sustainable – Power
What’s Coming Up This Autumn
See all upcoming events here: Events – Tendring Community Energy Limited – Local – Sustainable – Power
And we are not slowing down! September ad October are already shaping up to be other busy months for Tendring Community Energy. We have a number of events planned across the district, including:
Older Persons Crucial Crew
Date: 30 September, 10am–2pm
Location: Princess Theatre, Station Road, Clacton on Sea
Come and meet us at the Older Persons Crucial Crew and find out how we can help yourself with reducing your energy consumption, keeping your home warmer this winter and how reducing your household costs can affect wellbeing.
Winter Ready Event
Date: 08 October,, 1pm–3pm
Location: St Christophers Church, Meadow Way Jaywick
With autumn approaching, this is a great opportunity to get practical advice on preparing your home for the colder months and keeping energy costs under control.
We will also be back out in Jaywick, continuing our work with residents and the local community.
Little Oakley Memorial Club
Date: 23 October, 12.30pm–7.30pm
Location: Little Oakley Memorial Club, Little Oakley.
Come down an see how Tendring Community Energy can help with Solar and Battery Storage projects and funding opportunities. Hear real life stories from people who have experienced our help and solar installations.
Back to School — Back to Saving Energy
As children return to school, we will also be taking our energy-saving message into the community through our Back to School events. These events will be an opportunity for families to get practical advice on reducing household energy use, finding out what support may be available and learning some simple ways to keep bills under control. Because saving energy doesn’t have to mean making big changes. Sometimes it starts with something as simple as:
· Change old bulbs to LEDs.
· Understand and use heating controls effectively.
· Switch appliances off rather than leaving them on standby.
· Use household appliances more efficiently.
· Find and fix draughts.
· Understand how much energy your home is using — small changes can add up.
Longer-Term Community Energy Plans
Behind the scenes, we are also continuing to develop our longer-term community energy ambitions. These include renewable energy projects, community-owned generation, energy storage and innovative projects such as our planned 500kW community-owned agrivoltaic solar pilot. We are also continuing to explore opportunities for solar and renewable energy projects at community facilities across Tendring. The ambition is not simply to generate clean electricity.
It is to create local energy that delivers local benefit.
Thank You for Supporting Us
Tendring Community Energy exists because local people believe that we can do things differently. We are building an organisation that aims to keep the benefits of renewable energy within our community, reduce energy costs, tackle fuel poverty, develop skills and reinvest surplus income into projects that benefit Tendring. Our journey is still at an early stage – but what we have achieved together already gives us plenty to be proud of.
Thank you to everyone who has: attended an event, volunteered, shared our posts, introduced us to a community group, asked us for advice, become a member or simply told someone else about Tendring Community Energy.
Every conversation matters.
Every connection matters.
And every person who gets involved helps us build a stronger, fairer and more sustainable Tendring.
Get Involved
Try our home energy quiz: Home Energy Quiz – Tendring Community Energy Limited – Local – Sustainable – Power
Challenge yourself with our renewable energy quiz: Renewable Energy Quiz – Tendring Community Energy Limited – Local – Sustainable – Power
Explore the benefits of membership: Membership Sign Up – Tendring Community Energy Limited – Local – Sustainable – Power
See what your Energy and Carbon Footprint is and learn simple steps to reduce your bills and carbon footprint: Tendring Community Energy – Household Energy & Carbon Footprint
If you would like to support our work, there are lots of ways to get involved.
You can become a member, volunteer with us, attend one of our events, suggest a community project or simply help spread the word.
Want to be part of the next chapter?
Become a member, volunteer, attend an event or share our work with someone who could benefit from trusted local energy advice.
Tendring Community Energy
📍 16 Station Road, Clacton-on-Sea, CO15 1SX
📞 07303 185997
📧 Info@TendringCommunityEnergy.com
🌐 www.tendringcommunityenergy.com
Local • Sustainable • Power
Powering Tendring with community energy.