Brighton & Hove Energy Services Co-operative (Bhesco) has partnered with Saltdean Climate Action Network (Scan) on a community-led decarbonisation plan for Saltdean.
The one-year project, which ran in the East Sussex coastal village from August 2025 to August 2026, was funded by Great British Energy’s Community Energy Fund and administered by the Greater South East Net Zero Hub.
The Saltdean Decarbonisation Plan has been published and is available here. Bhesco says it sets out a practical pathway for Saltdean to “reduce carbon emissions, improve energy efficiency and support a cleaner, more affordable energy future for the community”.
The co-op adds that the plan brings together insights from local research, home energy surveys and conversations with residents to explore the opportunities and challenges facing Saltdean.
This includes a range of actions that households and community groups can take to help make the area more energy efficient and resilient; and “practical opportunities” for renewable energy, energy efficiency and community-led action, while recognising the unique needs of Saltdean’s homes and residents.
“This is not just a report,” said Bhesco, “it is a roadmap for action and a starting point for Saltdean’s journey towards a cleaner, greener future.”
The plan was presented to more than 40 locals at a meeting on 28 July.
The evening was opened by Cllr Dr. Mark Earthey, a member of the Scan Steering Committee, who welcomed residents and introduced the project and its significance for the community.
Nathan Morgan (main image), Bhesco’s senior technical lead, walked residents through the key findings of the study – covering Saltdean’s current carbon emissions, three decarbonisation scenarios, and practical recommendations for reducing energy bills and cutting carbon across heating, transport and electricity generation.
The evening also featured two local residents who shared their experiences of installing a heat pump and solar panels, followed by a Q&A session.
