Tresoc awarded funding…

…FROM GREAT BRITISH ENERGY AS PART OF HISTORIC COMMUNITY ENERGY DRIVE

The Totnes Renewable Energy Society (TRESOC) has been awarded funding from Great British Energy (GBE) to deliver a landmark solar installation at Dart Marine Park.

It comes as the UK Government and GBE’s joint Local Power Plan supports the biggest expansion of support for community-owned energy in British history to cut bills and build wealth in communities. The Plan is backed by up to £1 billion to support local and community energy projects so communities can own and control their own energy.

With this funding, TRESOC will develop a 100kW community-owned roof-mounted solar PV array at Dart Marine Park, Steamers Quay. Developed in partnership with South Hams District Council, the project will supply discounted renewable electricity directly to tenants at the park. Crucially, surplus energy will be sold into Energy Local Totnes (ELT), the town’s innovative local energy club, helping to cut bills for local residents and keeping energy spend within the local economy.

The funding also supports the development of a community share offer planned for Summer 2026, allowing local residents to invest directly in the infrastructure.

Sally Murrall-Smith, Managing Director of TRESOC, said: “We are incredibly proud to be part of the Great British Energy programme. This funding is a game-changer for Totnes. Since the end of the feed-in tariff, developing new community solar has been a challenge, but GBE support – combined with our pioneering Energy Local model – has made the Dart Marine Park project financially viable. This installation will not only lower bills for local businesses and residents but also proves that communities can take back control of their power, keeping wealth right here in Totnes.”

Cllr John Birch, South Hams District Council‘s Executive Member for Economic Development, added: “TRESOC’s aspirations in respect of renewable energy align with those of SHDC and, by working together, residents and businesses will have the opportunity to benefit from lower energy bills.”