Devon Community Energy Network support

The Devon Community Energy Network (DCEN) is network of community energy stakeholders in Devon and the South West, bringing together community energy organisations, local authorities, businesses and other interested individuals and organisations.  

The network meets quarterly to discuss emerging issues, share key updates and collaborate. One of the four meetings is the Spring Gathering. This event is an annual institution and provides a key opportunity for the network to pause, check in on their struggles and successes, regroup and look for new areas to collaborate. 

Regen supports DCEN by providing administrative resources to support the smooth running of the quarterly meetings and shared Google Group. When needed, Regen has helped to organise and run the annual Spring Gathering, most recently in 2023.  

Regen’s work with DCEN fed into the Power Allotments project with Devon Energy Collective. Power Allotments aimed to engage and encourage communities and individuals across Devon to identify a five-acre space in their local area for a biodiverse community-owned renewable power project. 

Regen also supported early development of the community energy sector in Devon via the three-year, Esmée Fairbairn Foundation-funded Community Energy Accelerator programme. The programme involved running a network of over 250 community energy organisations and providing one-on-one technical and engagement support to 32 communities. This played an instrumental role in establishing Devon’s community energy sector and the creation of the network. 

Regen’s ongoing support for DCEN is funded by Devon County Council.  

The network is always open to new members – find out more on its website here. 

If you want to hear more about community energy, consider signing up to our community energy newsletter here.