Summary of BHESCo's decarbonisation project in the Cuckmere Valley, funded by the Rural Community Energy Fund.

1. DECARBONISING
Cuckmere Valley Parish
Brighton & Hove Energy
Services Co-operative

2. Our nation’s Net Zero ambition
• Off the gas grid
• Challenging to decarbonise
• Price cap not applicable
• Oil phase out
• BHESCo experience in Firle,
Crowhurst and Shoreham (Kent)

3. Project progress since August 2022
• Conducted energy surveys of 9 archetypal properties
• Economic analysis
• Wind energy analysis
• DNO survey and analysis of connection capacity
• Constraints assessment
• Visual impact analysis
• Consultation with Younity (energy supplier)

4. Case study
Current EPC rating: E
Potential EPC rating: C
Potential carbon reduction: 91%
Potential fuel cost reduction: 61.5%

5. What is possible
Installation of 2 x 225kW wind turbines at Rathfinny Wine Estate

6. Renewable Electricity Analysis
-200000
0
200000
400000
600000
800000
1000000
1200000
1400000
GENERATION CONSUMPTION EXPORT
Electricity
[kWh]
Renewable generation and consumption - Rathfinney
Grid
Solar
New Solar
Wind
WIND
RENEWABLE
SOLAR
GRID GRID
RENEWABLE
• Anticipated wind generation almost
700,000 kWh per annum
• 74% of Future winery electricity
consumption met by renewables
• 62% of renewable generation exported
to local grid
• Current consumption in Cuckmere valley
parish ~260,000 kWh

8. 0
20
40
60
80
1 2
Series1 Series2
What are we recommending
The Glyndebourne mast height is 67meters, our proposed mast height will be 30 and 40 meters for
reconditioned turbines.
Glyndebourne Rathfinny 30m
Rathfinny 40m

9. Planning application
BHESCo will submit a planning application & Environmental Impact
Assessment to the South Downs National Park

10. Taking a phased approach
1
3
2
Rollout improvements energy efficiency of homes
Install air source heat pumps
4
Submit final report to Rural Community Energy Funders
Install 2 x wind turbines at Rathfinny wine estate
5
Planning application & Environmental Impact Assessment

11. Financing the work to be done
• Community share offer / Community Bond
Offer
• Local residents can become investors in and
co-owners of the renewable energy
generating equipment Cuckmere Valley
Community Investment Offer
2023

12. Benefits for the community
• Switching from oil to electricity will reduce carbon emissions significantly
• Lower energy costs
• More reliable energy supply (insulated from volatile international markets)
• Opportunity for residents to own a share of their own local clean energy, earning up to a 5% return
on their investment.
• A community fund could be established contributing an amount of up to £413,000 over the 20 year
lifetime of the project

13. Environmental benefit
Upgrading all the homes in the three parish wards with heat pumps would yield carbon emission saving of 275
tonnes annually, or 292 tonnes with additional insulation measures.
This is the equivalent of planting 4,547 trees each year or removing 60 cars off the road.
Village Oil LPG Electric Solid fuels Gas
Total
House-
holds
Current
Carbon
emissions
(tonnes)
Carbon
emissions
from
heat
pumps
Carbon
emissions
reduction
potential
Potential
reduction
(%)
Litlington 36 0 8 4 3 51 206 64 142 69%
Westdean 25 1 0 0 0 26 147 47 100 68%
Lullington 7 0 6 0 1 14 50 16 33 67%
Total 68 1 14 4 4 91 403 128 275 68%
Total with insulation measures 111 292 73%
Fuel type

14. Some key points before Q&A
• Project is conditional on Planning Permission
• Extensive consultation going forward.
• Co-operation with Rathfinny Wine Estate, Longman Brewery, and other enthusiastic partners and
residents.
• The number one priority for this project is that it must deliver a defined, tangible benefit to residents
of Litlington, Lullington and Westdean.
• Changes in the Cuckmere Valley landscape, e.g. flood plain - This one would be very unobtrusive.

15. QUESTIONS?
info@bhesco.co.uk
www.bhesco.co.uk
0800 999 6671
/BHESCO
@BHenergyerservice
Brighton & Hove Energy Services Co-operative