A community energy project which has reduced emergency hospital admissions by almost 40 per cent has won a national award.
Staffordshire Community Energy picked up the Community Energy Initiative prize at the 2025 Regen Green Energy Awards, recognising its innovative approach to tackling fuel poverty while reducing carbon emissions.
The award-winning project, Keep Warm, Keep Well, is a collaboration between Staffordshire Community Energy, University Hospitals of the North Midlands NHS Trust and fuel poverty charity Beat the Cold, which aims to bridge the gap between health, energy and community.
The initiative links 300kWp of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels on NHS buildings with fuel poverty support services, with annual surpluses for the project invested in Beat the Cold.
The project, which began as a pilot, has benefited over 1,300 households, saved 412 tonnes of CO2, reduced emergency hospital readmissions by 38 per cent and helped cut NHS costs. It is now set to expand, with additional solar panel installations planned for 2025 and a new community share offer scheduled for the summer.
Mike Kinghan MBE, founder of Staffordshire Community Energy, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have won this award. This recognition reinforces the value of community-led energy solutions that don’t just cut carbon but improve lives.”
Jenny Branford, UHNM sustainability manager, said: “The project was recognised for its innovative approach to tackling fuel poverty and climate change together, improving both energy access and public health.
“Our partnership with Staffordshire Community Energy has come so far and made such a difference already and we hope to expand our solar panel installation and Keep Warm, Keep Well referral scheme across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent later this year.”
Cathy McClay, lead judge for the Regen Green Energy Awards 2025, described the project as ‘an outstanding example of a community energy project where the benefits extend well beyond green energy’.
She said: “It stood out for its innovative model, linking clean energy with public health and delivering measurable improvements in both fuel poverty and patient wellbeing. It’s a replicable, inspiring model for others to follow.”
