About us
We’re a social enterprise that’s out to prove we can meet our energy needs in a way that’s good for people and the planet.
Because the energy system should work for communities – and we’re here to prove it can.
We’re a community energy social enterprise managing 24.3 MW of renewable energy across 55 projects in Oxfordshire. Every pound of surplus is reinvested into our Impact Programme, funding further carbon-cutting action across the county.
Our vision
A fair, zero-carbon energy system, owned and shaped by communities, that leaves no one behind.
Each year, Oxfordshire spends £1.5 billion on energy.
By growing local generation, improving energy efficiency, supporting the shift to electric transport and backing community ownership, we’re keeping more of that money local, and building a better energy template for the whole of the UK, not just Oxfordshire.
Working in partnership
Clean energy projects
We raise investment through community shares to fund development of more clean energy projects. Anyone can invest from £100 in the Community Energy Fund to help make projects happen and take a stake in a better energy future for Oxfordshire and beyond.
Impact programme
100% of our surpluses from our clean energy projects help organisations become more energy efficient, backing green innovation, and supporting further community energy projects. Every pound of investment is put to work building a fairer, smarter energy system.
Our network
We don’t do this alone. Community groups are partners, applicants for our grants, hosts for our projects, and the people who help us understand what a place actually needs. We work alongside local organisations to help shape and deliver clean energy solutions.
Our Strategic Plan: 2024-2035
Low Carbon Hub is in a very different place today than it was in our start-up period in 2011. Back then our aim was ambitious: to help replace Didcot Power Station with renewable energy that would benefit local people.
We are now in a position nationally where fossil fuel use is diminishing and we have much more knowledge about what it will take to transition to a zero-carbon energy system, in particular where we live and work.
Read our 10-year Strategic Plan and find out what we think Oxfordshire should look like in 2050 and what our mission needs to be to help us get there.
Our business plan
Here you can read our Business Plan 2024–25 – a roadmap that takes us closer to achieving our ambitious vision of a just, fair, and zero-carbon future.
Guided by our 10-year strategy to 2035, this plan outlines the steps we’ll take to grow renewable energy, support local communities, and create a sustainable energy system justly and fairly.
Find out more about our plans for the future and what we’re aiming for in order to get there 👇
Timeline
2011
Low Carbon Hub was established as a spin-out from West Oxford Community Renewables, supported by funding from Oxford City Council. We were set up as two parallel organisations; an Industrial Provident Society (a structure that emerged in the Industrial Revolution to create a cooperative model to support workers) and a Community Interest Company (a CIC part-owned by our low carbon community groups). Low Carbon Oxford North were partners in the launch of Low Carbon Hub and developed a successful rooftop solar project at Cherwell School as a result.
2013
We installed our first rooftop solar projects in Eynsham working closely with local low-carbon community group GreenTEA, saving three tonnes of C02 emissions every year. We developed our first community energy share offer to raise funds for our solar panels on the roof of Oxford Bus Company.
2014-16
We worked with Oxford City Council and Oxfordshire County Council to install rooftop solar on schools and businesses across the county as part of the OxFutures project funded by Intelligent Energy Europe. These installations were used to cut carbon emissions and costs, as well as an opportunity to educate children about climate change and energy.
2016
We raised community investment into Sandford Hydro, the largest community-owned hydro on the Thames. The hydro scheme, fully commissioned in 2017, has an installed capacity of 440Kw, enough to power 500+ households.
2017 to 2023
We partnered with our local authorities and universities on what was to become ‘OxFutures 2’, a European Regional Development Fund project offering energy efficiency and innovation support to businesses. During this time, we also developed the Cosy Homes Oxfordshire and Energy Solutions Oxfordshire services supported by innovation funding from government.
2023
We completed our first ever ground mount solar project, Ray Valley Solar. Based in Arncott, three miles southeast of Bicester, the site generates a whopping 19.5 GWh of clean electricity every year – enough to power over 6,000 homes – and will provide £13 million of community benefit funding over its lifetime.
By 2023 we had grown considerably in size, and it was increasingly difficult to continue the two-entity structure we began with. We therefore consolidated to a simpler structure with all activity moving to the IPS. Our community group members, who originally held a £1 share in the Community Interest Company, are now members in the IPS. And as always, 100% of the IPS’s profits continue to be used for the benefit of the community.
Low Carbon Hub has an extremely compelling vision for the rivers and rooftops of Oxfordshire to be the power stations of the future, delivering economic, social and environmental benefits for residents.
Ashden Awards Judges
Understanding our organisation
The Low Carbon Hub IPS Limited
The Low Carbon Hub IPS Limited was originally set up as an Industrial Provident Society. Since the Co-operatives and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014 these are now known as registered societies, a legal form used for businesses that are run for the benefit of the wider community, re-investing profits in the community. Community Benefit societies are registered with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
We work with our supporters, communities and organisations from across Oxfordshire and beyond develop a decentralised, locally-owned renewable energy infrastructure for Oxfordshire ad put local power in the hands of local people. We do this by developing our own portfolio of renewable energy projects with businesses, schools and public sector partners. We raise the capital needed to pay for these projects through community share raises, loans and grants. Investors in The Low Carbon Hub IPS Limited, become members on a one member – one vote principle. Two of the Low Carbon Hub’s largest projects are held in wholly owned subsidiaries, they are:
- Low Carbon Hub Sandford Hydro Ltd Company registration number: 9743887
- Ray Valley Solar Ltd Company registration number: 12279415
All our profits are then used for the benefit of the community to support further carbon cutting action on climate change. This includes grants to support the work of our Low Carbon Hub community group members and leveraging additional funding to support the delivery of energy programmes and grid edge research and development. Through this second wave of activity we help cut further carbon emissions, and support the transition to an equitable, zero carbon energy system that puts people at its heart.
The Low Carbon Hub IPS Limited registration number: 31903R
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do I become a member of the The Low Carbon Hub IPS Limited?
Our members are our investor shareholders. You can become a member by investing in the Low Carbon Hub IPS Limited. We run share offers giving people the opportunity to invest with us. As we run these offers, we will keep this page updated.
You may also want to sign up to our newsletter to stay in the loop on any new share offer announcements.
How does my community group become a member of the Low Carbon Hub network or the IPS?
To join the Low Carbon Hub community network a group needs to be working on low carbon and sustainability in their area, with energy as a central focus.
Members of the Low Carbon Hub network gain access to our advice and support, including grant funding for low carbon activities.
Community groups also have the option to join the Low Carbon Hub IPS Limited as a shareholder member for £1. Along with accessing advice, support and grant funding , becoming a shareholder member gives groups voting rights at the AGM and the opportunity to nominate people to the Board as Communities Director.
See our current community group network.
If you’d like to find out more joining our low carbon community group network please contact Cathy Ryan.
What is a community share?
Community shares refers to a distinct type of share capital called ‘withdrawable shares’ which behave differently to conventional share capital, also known as ordinary or transferable shares. Unlike the transferable shares used by most companies, community shares cannot be transferred between people, and are instead withdrawable, meaning that shareholders can withdraw their share capital, subject to detail in their share offer document and to Board approval.
Community shares are not listed on the stock market and cannot be bought and sold between people.
You can read more about the difference between community shares and conventional shares here.
What are the benefits of investing in community shares?
There are many benefits to investing in community shares. Here we have highlighted a few key benefits:
- You are supporting an enterprise, and the benefits it brings to you and your community through its products and services. If the venture is successful you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing that you have played a part in making it work.
- You become a member of a community enterprise, with a democratic say in its social aims and future success.
- You might also be offered a financial return on your investment, together with the scope to cash in your shares at some point in the future. However, it is important to remember that this is a social investment and not a financial investment.
What are the risks of investing in community shares?
Buying any type of shares involves risk. Community Shares can’t go up in value, but they can go down if the society is making losses. As a shareholder you could lose some or all of the money you invest. You should only take these risks with money you can afford to lose.
More information:
- Money Advice Service: information on community shares
- The Community Shares Handbook
- Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)