The inaugural Sussex Energy Forum took place on 9th July 2025, hosted by University of Sussex, bringing together over 50 individuals from 35 organisations from across Sussex to unite behind a shared ambition: accelerating energy decarbonisation through regional collaboration.
The Forum is a new, apolitical initiative designed to bring together energy decarbonisation practitioners from local authorities, community energy organisations, academics, technical experts, and industry partners to co-create Sussex Energy – a regional mission to achieve energy neutrality by 2040. The session confirmed a strong appetite among participants to work more closely together to scale up energy action.
This first meeting focused on building connections, exploring the benefits of collaborating, and prioritising what issues a regional collaboration should focus on. A survey was issued in advance of the event to understand the key challenges to low carbon energy work in Sussex that could be tackled through regional collaboration. The breakout group topics were based on this, ranging from funding and investment, through knowledge sharing and collaboration, to awareness and advocacy.
As a result of the feedback from the meeting, key actions now being taken forward include:
- A new communications workstream to build the visibility of Sussex’s energy decarbonisation efforts, attract investment, and promote the benefits of low carbon action to households and businesses.
- Mobilising finance and technical expertise to support the delivery of large-scale solar and other low carbon energy projects.
- Building a shared picture of energy activity in Sussex, helping create a chain of demand and strengthen the case for investment and political support.
- Improving coordination across Local Authorities to align on opportunities and challenges ahead of devolution.
- Speaking with one voice to the incoming mayor, GB Energy, landowners, landlords, and others – to shape a compelling regional narrative and policy landscape that encourages bold decision-making in the energy space.
- Exploring models for community energy consultants, for smaller organisations needing support to participate in the energy transition.
To continue the momentum, a Sussex Energy LinkedIn group has been set up for ongoing discussion and networking.
Thank you to everyone who helped make this first session such a success and particularly to the University of Sussex for hosting. The Forum is already proving to be a powerful platform for building momentum, sharing ideas, and taking collective action toward a cleaner, more resilient energy future for Sussex.