We have invested in shares with Kent Community Energy, a green energy community that champions decarbonisation initiatives across Kent.
Kent Community Energy
Kent Community Energy is a community owned, non-profit energy group based in Kent. They develop renewable energy projects, in particular solar energy, to cut carbon emissions and keep benefits local. It operates as a community benefit society, which means people can support or invest in projects and they then have a say in how profits are reinvested into renewable energy, sustainability projects, and community initiatives.
Kent is facing a climate emergency. Parts of Kent will likely be underwater if sea levels continue to rise, so local communities are facing the loss of their homes and livelihoods if they live or run businesses in the area. Kent is also one of the sunniest places in the UK, so naturally solar power is a good choice for the area. And it will cut carbon emissions.
Kent Community Energy is part of Community Energy Together, one of five societies who own seven solar farms which have the capacity to deliver a 20% increase in community owned solar energy in England and Wales. They have a Community Share Offer which is currently open on Ethex, a platform that helps ordinary people invest in ethical investments. Blue Patch has contributed to the Community Share Offer (in a small way) from our surplus revenue.
Why Blue Patch invests any profits
Blue Patch invests all of its surplus revenue into ethical initiatives. These include a number of community energy projects all over the UK. It is part of our commitment to support the UK’s transition to clean energy. We believe in the power of local community, and community energy projects keep the money local rather than paying into the pockets of international corporations.
Why community energy projects? There are many benefits of community energy co-operatives. For example, Kent Community Energy has provided grants to charity, community interest companies and local communities. They have funded homelessness charities, a local sailing club, children with challenging emotional issues, vulnerable migrants, tree planting, gardening communities, nature and climate fairs, and local nature reserves.
Share offer on Ethex
Kent Community Energy is currently raising funds to purchase an already operational solar farm – Orchard 2 Solar Farm in the Kent countryside. The 5 MW solar installation could generate enough renewable electricity to power up to 1,700 homes annually and mitigate approximately 1,165 tonnes of CO₂ emissions each year. It has already been up and running and supplying the national grid for several years. Over its lifetime, it is expected to generate excess revenue of £2m that Kent Community Energy can use to the community benefit. The share offer is currently 50% funded.
https://www.ethex.org.uk/invest/kentcommunityenergy
Always remember that any investment carries risk and this is a high risk investment. “Don’t invest unless you’re prepared to lose all the money you invest.” – Ethex
Blue Patch is proud to support Kent Community Energy because their ethos reflects our belief that climate action works best when it is local, community led and focused on long term impact – not profit. By investing into projects like this we help the transition to clean energy while keeping the benefits local to Kent and its communities.