Saltdean takes a step towards a greener future with decarbonisation action plan

A community-led decarbonisation plan for Saltdean has been officially completed, setting out a clear roadmap for the village to cut carbon emissions, lower energy bills and generate its own clean energy. 

Brighton & Hove Energy Services Co-operative (BHESCo) and Saltdean Climate Action Network (SCAN) have completed a year-long project to produce the Saltdean Decarbonisation Action Plan - a practical, data-driven blueprint for how Saltdean’s 4,525 households can transition away from fossil fuels towards a low-carbon future. 

Funded by GB Energy’s Community Energy Fund and administered by the Greater South East Net Zero Hub, the plan was developed through extensive community engagement over the course of the year. BHESCo held regular meetings with a Steering Committee of SCAN members, ensuring the plan reflected the community’s priorities and local knowledge at every stage. This included a community launch event, home energy surveys across six housing archetypes, a Retrofit Suppliers’ Day attended by over 50 residents, and a public community evening in July where the findings were presented to more than 40 local residents. 

The plan models three decarbonisation scenarios for Saltdean, covering heat pump adoption, rooftop solar, EV charging, community-owned renewable energy generation and building retrofit. Saltdean currently produces around 20,000 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent per year - the plan sets out how the community could achieve net zero by 2050. 

Kayla Ente MBE, CEO and Founder of BHESCo, said: “This project is a real testament to what a motivated group of people can achieve by working together towards a shared aspiration. SCAN has been an outstanding partner throughout, providing feedback and local knowledge to help us create a report that gives Saltdean everything it needs to take action over time to reduce carbon emissions and to lead action on creating a clean energy economy.” 

Councillor Dr. Mark Earthey, Member of the SCAN Steering Committee, said: “The SCAN Steering Committee was delighted with the outcome of the Decarbonisation Study. The delivered report was the culmination of a concerted team effort between SCAN, BHESCo, the Saltdean Lido, the SRCA, and councillors from BHCC, ESCC, and Telscombe Town Council. The report was well received by Saltdean residents at its public presentation in July. We look forward to starting Stage 2, which is to identify and execute a number of practical, local projects that convert the findings of the report into real benefits to Saltdean residents, and achieve our contribution to Net Zero.” 

The full Saltdean Decarbonisation Action Plan is now available to read and download at bhesco.co.uk/saltdean.