Durham Energy Association Limited

Overview

Communities across County Durham are facing rising energy costs, ageing community buildings, and increasing pressure to cut carbon emissions. In response, Durham Energy Association Ltd (DEAL) has emerged as a not‑for‑profit, community‑driven initiative designed to help local organisations take control of their energy future. Based in County Durham, DEAL works with community buildings such as village halls and community centres to support the installation of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels and battery storage systems. These enable buildings to generate their own renewable energy, reduce operating costs, and build long‑term energy resilience.

DEAL initially emerged from the wider CAIRN partnership agreement, bringing together the partners listed below to explore innovation in rural energy delivery. The initiative also builds on the success of the Northumberland Community Energy Ltd (NCEL) model, alongside a shared ambition to adapt and scale this approach for a different demographic and set of local challenges.

Rather than replicating an existing model, DEAL has focused on listening closely to communities and shaping its approach around local needs and capacity. This work has been developed in partnership with Durham Community Action and other local organisations.

As host of this case study and the CAIRN Innovation Portal, the National Innovation Centre for Rural Enterprise (NICRE) is collating learning from the establishment of DEAL to inform wider policy and practice on community‑led approaches to net zero in rural and rural‑serving areas. This page will be updated as DEAL develops.

DEAL Logo Landscape RGB

Offer

Based in County Durham, DEAL works with community buildings such as village halls and community centres to support the installation of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels and battery storage systems. These enable buildings to generate their own renewable energy, reduce operating costs, and build long‑term energy resilience.

A locally based steering group, bringing together a broad mix of skills and experience, has played a central role in developing DEAL’s governance and operational framework. This has ensured transparency, democratic decision‑making, and best practice from the outset. DEAL plans to formalise as a Community Benefit Society (CBS), providing a robust structure for long‑term community ownership and delivery.

Successes

DEAL has rapidly established strong foundations for delivering community‑led renewable energy across County Durham. A major milestone has been securing funding from Great British Energy and the North East & North Yorkshire Net Zero Hub to carry out feasibility studies on 15 community buildings, unlocking the potential for solar PV and battery storage installations at scale.

DEAL has appointed Sustainable Energy Engineering Ltd to deliver high‑quality technical assessments, ensuring projects are viable, investment‑ready and designed for long‑term performance. This represents an important step towards delivering tangible, on‑the‑ground energy solutions for community spaces.

The creation of DEAL itself is a key success, providing a dedicated vehicle to help communities develop, own and benefit from local energy generation. Working in partnership with Durham Community Action, the initiative has generated strong interest across the county and built momentum amongst community organisations seeking to reduce costs and emissions.

Challenges

A significant challenge has been building trust with community organisations that had previously experienced unreliable or poor‑quality contractors when exploring energy or building projects. Although interest in reducing energy costs and carbon emissions was strong, many community groups were understandably cautious about new schemes and long‑term commitments.

DEAL addressed this by working through trusted anchor organisations, particularly Durham Community Action, whose established local relationships and credibility helped reassure communities. A transparent and secure procurement process was implemented, with qualified contractors appointed through best‑practice procedures. This was complemented by one‑to‑one conversations with individual buildings to understand specific concerns, explain the model clearly and avoid a one‑size‑fits‑all approach.

DEAL has also had to navigate the staged nature of funding, with unavoidable gaps between feasibility, organisational establishment and delivery. By structuring the programme in clear phases and communicating openly about constraints, the initiative has maintained momentum while managing expectations.

Top tips

  • Work through trusted local partners - Engagement is far more effective when delivered via established, trusted networks such as local community support organisations.
  • Keep the offer simple and low‑risk - Clearly communicating that there are no upfront capital costs and minimal administrative burden helps build confidence.
  • Invest in early pre-feasibility work - Do as much of the work you can before a feasibility assessment, for example establishing who owns the building, if there are any planning or ecological constraints.
  • Plan for slower engagement - Community organisations often have limited capacity, so allow extra time for decision‑making and maintain consistent communication.

Future plans

DEAL is now moving from feasibility into delivery. The next phase will support community buildings across County Durham to install solar PV and battery storage systems, bringing cleaner and more affordable energy to rural communities and to urban‑fringe halls that primarily serve rural populations.

A key milestone is the formal establishment of DEAL as a Community Benefit Society. Governance documentation has been completed and submitted, and approval is awaited from the Financial Conduct Authority. Once established, this structure will embed democratic, community ownership and provide a strong platform for delivery.

Following CBS approval, DEAL will be able to apply for capital and revenue funding to support organisational sustainability and the wider roll‑out of projects. In parallel, DEAL is exploring community share options as a potential route for future growth and local investment.

Download the members pack

Key partners

Durham Community Action (DCA)

Community Action Northumberland (CAN)

The Rural Design Centre (RDC)

The National Innovation Centre for Rural Enterprise (NICRE)

Hilary Anderson at Rural Design Centre summarises:

"DEAL is building momentum towards community‑led renewable energy on community buildings and their wider audiences in County Durham. By engaging 15 sites, partnering with expert engineers, and working alongside trusted organisations such as Durham Community Action, DEAL is a low-risk solution for communities to access clean energy. The initiative is helping community halls cut energy costs, reduce carbon emissions, and build long‑term resilience.

By embedding trust, partnership and locally appropriate support, DEAL is demonstrating that community energy can be successfully developed in areas that stand to benefit the most, ensuring that the transition to net zero is inclusive and equitable.”

To find out more

Please contact DEAL at:

Hilary Anderson: Hilary.anderson@ruraldesigncentre.com

Loading...