What is the Bretherton Energy Co-Op?

1. Origins: A Mutual Journey to Net Zero

The concept for the Bretherton Energy Co-op (BEC) began in August 2021 when GA Pet Food approached Bretherton Parish Council (BPC) with an invitation to work together on a renewable energy project for the benefit of the company and local residents. The discussion centred on the possibility of a mutual journey to net zero, built on a compelling proposal:

Renewables Offer

Five per cent of the electricity generated from proposed local renewable sources would be provided to Bretherton at no cost.

Village Benefit

This free energy would be used by the village to reduce energy bills and help decarbonise Bretherton.

2. Establishment and Legal Structure

Initial Steps:

The Bretherton Energy Working Group, made up of seven residents, was established about four years ago.
Together with representatives from GA Pet Food and the Working Group, the Bretherton Energy Partnership (BEP) was formed to develop the offer into a viable project through a Declaration of Understanding as the basis for a long-term agreement.

Formation of the Bretherton Energy Co-op:

During early 2025, the concept of the Co-operative was developed with independent professional legal advice on the essential foundation work:

Setting out and agreeing the legal framework and structure.
Defining the initial organisation and constitution.
Preparing a long-term supply agreement between GA Pet Food and BEC, which will link the five per cent of generated energy to a successful planning application.

This process led to the official registration of the Bretherton Energy Co-op Limited (BEC) as a constituted Community Benefit Society in May 2025.

The long-term supply agreement was signed by GA Pet Food and the founding directors of BEC in August 2025.

3. BEC’s Purpose and Membership

Community Long-Term Purpose
BEC’s core mission is to supply its members with locally generated and locally distributed discounted, decarbonised energy received from the Asland Walks Energy Park.

Furthermore, BEC will manage any surplus income generated to:

Support community-led initiatives within the Bretherton Parish area and neighbouring communities.

Membership Eligibility

Entitlement: Every household, business, or organisation in the Bretherton parish is entitled to become a member of BEC.
Benefit: By becoming a member, these consumers will be entitled to benefit from the discounted local electricity tariff.

Note: There is still work to be completed. Until this is done, the discounted electricity tariff and community fund figures cannot be confirmed.

4. How the Co-op Would Work: Initial Details

Membership

One member, one vote. Each member will have a single vote, for example, on fund allocation.

Membership Cost

Members will be asked to pay a nominal annual membership fee.

Membership Categories

Different categories of membership may be established, depending on network geography.

Governance

A set of founding directors has been appointed initially. Before BEC starts trading, a Board of about nine directors will be elected by the membership. The election process and BEC development plan are yet to be defined.

Elections

Details of the ongoing processes are still to be defined, but elections will be held annually at the BEC Annual General Meeting (AGM).

Funding Scale

The scale of village environmental developments will depend on the amount of funding secured from the five per cent of energy generated.

5. Legal Details

BRETHERTON ENERGY CO-OP LIMITED (referred to as “BEC”)

Registration: Registered by the Financial Conduct Authority as a Co-operative Society under the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014 on 17 June 2025.
Registration Number: 5390
Registered Office: 189 South Road, Bretherton, Leyland, Lancashire, PR26 9AJ