Todmorden Community Energy Hippodrome Solar Power

Aim

Be part of Todmorden’s energy revolution - invest in solar power at the Hippodrome and support your community!

We've hit our target! Thank you to everyone who invested in Todmorden's energy future.

The share offer for the Hippodrome Solar Power project is now fully funded. If you'd still like to show your support and help us get our next project off the ground, you can make a donation to Todmorden Community Energy here:

https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/todmorden-community-energy-donations-page

---

Our Story: How Todmorden Community Energy Is Powering a Fairer Future

Todmorden Community Energy (TCE) was created because local people recognised a growing and urgent need: Todmorden required a community‑led response to rising energy costs, the climate emergency, improving energy security and increasing pressure on many of our much‑loved community buildings.

The idea first emerged through the Todmorden Town Deal Sustainability Panel, where residents began imagining a future in which local people owned, generated and benefited directly from the town’s energy. It quickly became clear that Todmorden had the community strength, skills and natural resources to build a thriving community‑energy movement.

In February 2024, TCE was formally established as a Community Benefit Society with support from Todmorden Town Council, Calderdale Council and the Town Deal Board. With more than 50 members and a broad volunteer base spanning engineering, finance, planning and community development, TCE has grown into a confident, capable organisation.

Our mission is simple but ambitious: to deliver clean, affordable, community‑owned energy projects that keep the environmental and economic benefits in Todmorden.

Early Success: Building Momentum Through Partnership

In April 2025, TCE completed our first major renewable‑energy installation: a solar‑plus‑battery system at Todmorden Golf Club. Delivered through a shared‑ownership model funded by grants, club‑member contributions and TCE investment, the system has cut the club’s costs while creating a sustainable income stream for TCE.

This partnership proved what community energy can achieve. It strengthened a valued community organisation, reduced carbon emissions, expanded TCE’s technical experience and built the credibility needed to move on to larger projects.

This success also helped secure TCE a place on the national Trading for Good programme, which is now supporting our scaling efforts and growth in traded income.

Listening to Our Community

Since forming, TCE has placed community engagement at the heart of everything we do. We have hosted stalls at Todmorden Market, delivered public talks, run online surveys, supported town‑wide events such as Todmorden Tomorrow, and launched both a website and social‑media presence.

Our mailing list has grown to over 150 engaged supporters, representing residents concerned about rising bills, those passionate about climate action, and long‑standing volunteers who sustain Todmorden’s rich cultural and community life.

At our first AGM in June 2025, members unanimously endorsed the idea of delivering a community‑owned solar installation for the Hippodrome Theatre. This strong democratic mandate has guided our work ever since.

Why the Hippodrome Project Matters So Much

The Hippodrome Theatre—run entirely by volunteers from TAODS—is one of Todmorden’s most iconic venues. It is a creative home for young performers, a social lifeline for older residents, and a rare space that brings generations together.

Solar PV had originally been included in the Town Deal renovation plans, but rising construction costs and technical issues forced its removal. This left the theatre exposed to rising energy prices and without the long‑term sustainability measure it had been counting on.

Both TCE and TAODS recognised that unless action was taken, a growing share of the theatre’s income would be swallowed by utility costs—money that should instead support productions, youth work, access improvements and community events.

TCE stepped in with a solution: a fully community‑owned solar PV system that will cut bills, reduce carbon emissions and free up funds for the theatre’s cultural and community‑building work.

Benefits for TAODS

• Lower energy bills for 25+ years
• Improved long‑term financial stability
• More money available for productions, youth theatre and older‑people’s programmes
• Stronger eligibility for external grants, including LED lighting upgrades
• A reduced carbon footprint and leadership in sustainability

Benefits for TCE

• A flagship project on one of the town’s most high‑profile community buildings
• Increased credibility and visibility
• A sustainable income stream to support core operations
• Greater capacity to take on more ambitious future projects
• A powerful, visible example of community‑owned energy in action

Together, TCE and TAODS are showing what partnership looks like: two community organisations strengthening one another while delivering long‑lasting benefits for residents of all ages.

A Community‑Owned Future for Todmorden

To deliver this project, TCE is launching our first ever community share offer, aiming to raise £49,390. This allows local people to invest directly in clean‑energy infrastructure that benefits their town.

Investors become members of TCE, gaining democratic voting rights and helping shape future projects. Income from the solar installation supports both the Hippodrome and TCE’s long‑term development, keeping money circulating locally instead of leaking out to commercial energy companies.

This project not only reduces emissions; it strengthens local resilience, supports cultural and social life, and improves energy security during an ongoing cost‑of‑living crisis.

Of the total, £2,500 has already been secured in grant funding from Todmorden Town Council (conditional on remainder of funds being raised), £3,000 from the Community Foundation for Calderdale (thanks also for Pennine Community Power for this), and up to £10,890 from the Cooperatives UK Energy Efficiency Booster Fund, which will add £0.33 to every £1 raised via the share offer. many thanks to these organisations for their kind assistance.

Looking Ahead: Scaling Up and Aiming Higher

The Hippodrome installation marks a major milestone in TCE’s development. Completing it will strengthen our delivery record, grow our volunteer and membership base, improve our financial stability, and position us strongly for larger rounds of national funding.

With government support for community energy expanding through initiatives like the Great British Energy Community Fund, TCE is ready to scale up our ambitions. We aim to deliver more rooftop‑solar partnerships, explore community wind opportunities, investigate hydro potential, support energy‑efficiency upgrades for community buildings, and develop initiatives that reduce fuel poverty and improve energy security.

Our long‑term vision is a town‑wide network of community‑owned renewable‑energy assets, generating clean power and reinvesting the benefits directly into Todmorden.

Join Us in Powering Todmorden’s Future!

By supporting this share offer, you are helping secure the future of one of Todmorden’s most important community venues—and backing a long‑term vision for local, democratic and fair energy.

The Hippodrome solar project is only the beginning.

With your support, TCE can continue delivering community‑owned energy projects that reduce costs, support residents young and old, strengthen local organisations and build a cleaner, more resilient Todmorden.

Together, we can raise the roof and power Todmorden for generations to come!

If a £50 investment is a stretch, or you'd prefer to donate, visit our Crowdfunder donations page: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/todmorden-community-energy-donations-page

To also become a TCE member, complete the membership form via the link at the bottom of our homepage: https://todmordencommunityenergy.co.uk

This project successfully funded on 23rd March 2026