Co-op types
Energy co-ops & community energy
Co-operatives can develop energy projects, while community energy also includes community benefit societies and other organisations. Generation, supply, advice, volunteering and investment are different activities. Capital invested in a project is at risk.
Start with membership
Who belongs?
Members supporting energy activity. The organisation’s governing documents define who may join, their obligations and their rights.
A useful question to ask
What activity am I joining, how is it governed, and what obligations or investment risks would I accept?
Model and legal form are different
Co-operative societies, community benefit societies and companies have different legal characteristics. A community benefit society is not simply another name for a co-operative society. A company can be structured co-operatively; a CIC designation alone does not create democratic member ownership.
Credit unions have their own specific regulation. If you are forming or changing an organisation, take its purpose, control, capital requirements and proposed use of assets to a qualified adviser.
Prepare for choosing a structure →