The second annual Sussex Energy Forum took place on 14 July 2026 at the University of Sussex, bringing together 65 representatives from 45 organisations across Sussex to strengthen collaboration and accelerate the region’s transition to a cleaner, more resilient energy system that delivers greater economic benefits to the region than the current system.
Hosted by the University of Sussex, the Forum brought together local authorities, community energy organisations, other public organisations, universities, businesses, industry experts and regional partners to share progress, explore emerging opportunities and help shape the next phase of the Sussex Energy programme.
Building on the success of the inaugural Forum in 2025, this year’s event reflected how Sussex Energy has evolved from establishing a regional network to developing practical programmes that will help unlock investment, accelerate project delivery and strengthen Sussex’s voice as the region prepares for devolution.
The programme included updates on the Sussex Energy Programme’s work to embed energy considerations within the Strategic Authority’s Prosperity Strategy, ensuring energy becomes a long-term regional priority, alongside national energy policy updates, the emerging Sussex & Brighton Energy Briefing for the new Strategic Authority, community value within strategic energy partnerships, community energy initiatives, and the Solar Across Sussex project, alongside interactive breakout discussions focused on the challenges and opportunities facing the region.
Alongside the main programme, attendees also had the opportunity to engage with exhibition stalls from key national and regional partners, including the National Energy System Operator (NESO) and Shoreham Port. These stands provided valuable insight into regional energy strategic planning and the role of the port in leading the way on the energy transition.
Discussions highlighted several recurring themes across the afternoon:
Strategic regional coordination – Strong support for a strategic regional capability that coordinates investment, planning and delivery across the whole energy system, helping Sussex to overcome grid constraints, accelerate decarbonisation and maximise social, economic and environmental benefits.
Community energy – The need to strengthen community energy through trusted local leadership, targeted funding, collaboration and streamlined delivery.
Solar deployment – Practical discussions on accelerating rooftop and ground-mounted solar while ensuring communities benefit, protecting the environment and improving public understanding.
Investment and project delivery – The importance of developing an investable pipeline of energy projects, which could be unlocked through access to technical expertise, legal support, increased grid capacity, increased organisational capacity, greater certainty around funding, and a better understanding of project risks.
Innovation and engagement – Support for creating a Sussex Energy Innovation and Engagement Centre to bring together research, demonstration, education and collaboration in one trusted regional space.
Participants also considered the immediate priorities for the emerging Sussex & Brighton Strategic Authority. The highest priorities identified were accelerating and scaling what already works across Sussex, developing a Sussex-wide Local Area Energy Plan and embedding energy and climate considerations across all Strategic Authority (SBSA) functions.
Since last year’s Forum, Sussex Energy has already begun delivering many of the priorities identified by partners, including:
- developing a Sussex & Brighton Energy Briefing to inform the Strategic Authority’s (SBSA) priorities. This was presented at the Forum this year, inputs are being incorporated and there is a meeting planned to discuss this with the SBSA
- building a regional picture of live decarbonisation projects to help build a pipeline of investable projects, support discussions with government, funding bodies and private investors and understand where projects may benefit from additional support. If your organisation has something to include, please complete the Sussex Energy Project Pipeline survey
- commissioning a Regional Energy Finance Strategy to strengthen Sussex’s investment proposition
- launching the Solar Across Sussex programme to identify and accelerate viable solar opportunities
- creating a regional map and pipeline of energy decarbonisation projects to support future investment and encourage project replication
- developing shared communications resources to help partners promote energy decarbonisation across Sussex
Natasha Bridge, Business Manager for the Greater Brighton Economic Board, said:
“The Forum demonstrates the value of bringing together organisations from across Sussex around a shared ambition. As Sussex goes through the devolution process, regional collaboration will be increasingly important in helping us unlock investment, accelerate delivery and ensure the benefits of the energy transition are felt across our communities.”
See the Sussex Energy Forum Slides and Notes 14th July 2026, they will help inform ongoing Sussex Energy work, including the Regional Energy Finance Strategy, the next phase of Solar Across Sussex and the development of the Sussex & Brighton Energy Briefing. Participants are able to continue discussions through the Sussex Energy Forum LinkedIn Group, helping maintain collaboration between Forum events. If you work in low carbon energy work and would like to accelerate impact through regional collaboration, request to join.
Follow the Sussex Energy LinkedIn page for latest updates.
Together, these efforts will help turn shared ambition into practical action and accelerate Sussex’s journey towards energy neutrality.
