Support for rural households living off-electricity grid

Powering People

Melanie Thompson-Glen

Head of Business and Innovation

Melanie Thompson-Glen

Head of Business and Innovation

Overview

It's estimated over 400 households in Northumberland – and more in other rural and remote areas across the UK - are not connected to the electricity grid. The majority of these households rely on diesel generators to meet their basic electricity needs.  This leads to higher costs, fuel poverty and increased carbon emissions. As the UK moves away from fossil fuels, and more of day-to-day life is powered by electricity, addressing these challenges is increasingly urgent.    

This module is developed in partnership with Community Action Northumberland (CAN) as part of the Powering People project, funded by the Energy Industry Voluntary Redress Scheme. 

It shares learnings, case studies, models and FAQs/guidance developed in rural Northumberland and beyond.  It aims to promote wider understanding of the challenges faced by off-electricity grid households and sharing of solutions across the UK. 

Frequently asked questions about living off-electricity grid

In this section you can find answers to some of the most common questions that our project team get asked about the experiences of the people they support who are living off-electricity grid not by choice.

Previously, householders only had 2-3 hours of electricity each day when their diesel generators were operating.  Now, advances in technology mean that most (but not all) have modern systems combining renewables, batteries, and diesel generators.  These provide constant power but are costly and still depend on fossil fuels. 

Nearly all of these homes are off the gas grid as well.  Heating and hot water systems generally rely on more expensive and polluting oil, LPG, coal, or wood.  Limited electricity prevents switching to heat pumps. 

No. Electricity is very expensive due to high costs of diesel and the maintenance and replacement of renewables systems. Householders we work with can pay around 5× more* for electricity compared to grid-connected homes – around £6,000 compared to £1,241.  Further, homes are reliant on expensive and polluting fossil fuels for heating. 

*March ’26 Update: The impact of the Iran war means that annual bills have risen to 7x that of a grid-connected home at around £9,000 compared to £1,241! 

Depending on the renewables/generator mix, emissions from off-grid electricity systems could be 5–15× higher than grid-connected homes.  Combined with a dependence on fossil fuel heating systems, off-grid homes have total emissions 3–5× higher than average UK homes. 

Yes, lots!  Householders we work with live with constant anxieties around fuel deliveries (especially in bad weather), system breakdown risks, lack of experienced off-grid engineers, and the time and cost it takes to make repairs.  Households do not have access to many support schemes available to grid-connected homes, such as the Warm Home Discount or Priority Services Register. In addition, they can struggle to access funding for energy efficiency improvements due to eligibility criteria linked to grid connection. 

It costs a lot of money.  Most UK homes were connected in the national rollout in the mid-twentieth century but a few, usually remote homes were left out.  With the distribution network now in private ownership combined with unfavourable connection regulations and VAT rules, estimates start at £40,000 and are often much higher. 

Even if costs can be overcome, distance to the grid, network capacity, landowner consents and protective land designations can all still be barriers to gaining a connection.

Whilst living off-grid is both challenging and expensive, householders have strong ties to their family homes and the wider community.  For some off-grid farms, the same family has farmed the land for generations and they are deeply rooted to the land and community.  For farming or other rural businesses, people need to live where they work and for others moving may not be practical or affordable. 

Support for off-electricity grid households in Northumberland

As part of the Powering People project, Community Action Northumberland employs two off-grid energy advisers to provide practical support to households across the county.

David Richardson and John Bogue are working to identify and build links with people living off-electricity grid, to deliver household energy audits and advice and support grid connections and renewable installations. Their experiences of working with communities also underpin wider policy, advocacy and knowledge exchange.

John says:

"Since working as an off-grid energy advisor with CAN, I never cease to be amazed with the level of determination, resourcefulness and resilience of people I visit.  Perhaps it's an indication of how Northumbrians just knuckle down and get on with things.  Although these “off-off-gridders” rarely speak about the challenges they face each day, they truly deserve our support so that, together, we can improve the lives of this forgotten community.”  

David says:

“I live in a remote area myself, without mains water, sewerage, and gas, but I do have mains electricity. Working on the Powering People project has opened my eyes to the huge additional challenges and costs for those living off the electricity grid, just to do the things the rest of us take for granted. Their resilience is inspiring.  As a small and dispersed group of people they have no voice and are overlooked by policymakers as a result. Whether its connections, VAT, cost of living, or support for renewables, no policies work in their favour. I hope this project will change that situation.”

If you would are living off-grid in Northumberland and would like to register as off-grid or find out more about the support available, you can contact davidrichardson@ca-north.org.uk or johnbogue@ca-north.org.uk.

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