Between 2024/25, Scene conducted a feasibility study of establishing a community-led energy system across the Hardwick Estate, in South Oxfordshire. As of 2025 – the estate is undergoing a transition from private ownership to charitable status, a first for England. This transition thus represents a unique opportunity to develop community-led energy initiatives across the estate. Options to provide renewable energy generation and decarbonised heat to estate residents and businesses were appraised. The viability of establishing an ‘energy club’ structure throughout the estate was also tabled. This study was funded by the Community Energy Fund (phase 1) and conducted on behalf of Hardwick Community Energy (HCE).
The viability of establishing energy generation (ground-mounted solar, distributed rooftop solar and wind turbines) and property heat decarbonisation solutions (air-source heat pumps, communal biomass boiler and water-source heat pump) were assessed. The historic value of building stock and the estate’s setting within the Chilterns National Landscape were major considerations which determined the scale and design of recommended options. Although several of these solutions were technically and financially viable in isolation – HCE favoured an approach which encouraged on-site energy consumption and supply.
A local energy club concept was tabled. This concept envisaged several energy generators (ground-PV and wind turbines) and decarbonised heating solutions at estate properties (distributed air-source heat pumps and a communal water-source heat pump at Hardwick House). This arrangement decarbonises estate heating requirements and provides estate consumers with secure and cost-effective energy. Environmentally, this considerably reduces estate carbon emissions. The export of excess energy also represents an additional income stream for the community.
As of Spring 2025, HCE are looking to further this opportunity – and are anticipating progression to a Community Energy Fund Phase 2 study.