ECOTRICITY

Helen Taylor from “Ecotricity

Helen introduced herself in her career progression from working for the food industry to time with the Soil Association and developing an interest in Green Energy, which led to a meeting with Dale Vince, the founder of Ecotricity, and the (not then entirely expected) offer of a job promoting not just the company but its ideals.

She described her boss as shy but visionary in his transition from a traveller community to leading the development of generation and supply of green electricity, in a rapidly growing business.  250 'windmills' in 2010 had developed to 800 now, with customer numbers growing from 35,000 to 100,000. 

1. High standards of customer service

2. Ethical pricing

3. Green outcomes

   There was no claim to be the cheapest supplier and only one tariff is on offer.  Supply of electricity only had developed into dual fuel supply with gas being produced from grass or straw – definitely not from fracking!  Wind power had been supplemented by a solar farm and all the development had been linked with an educational emphasis for “Green Britain” with an educational centre being planned alongside solar arrays.  The manufacture of small “Britwind” wind turbines had led mainly to export rather than home business but every attempt was being made to encourage and develop green thinking and practice in the whole of life, rather than just in the immediately profitable sectors.

   Which brought us to football!  Forest Green Rovers were not then in the Football League, as they are now.  But promotion is not going to change their credentials as the first Green football team, with their organic pitch and their vegan catering.  Since Dale took over the team in 2010, they have been spreading the message, with fans sometimes taking a little time to get used to burgers without beef or to the now famous Q-pie.  FGR may seem like a sideline, but we were being presented with a message not just about a growing power company but about a way of life, and a confidence that things have changed, are changing and will change.

   We've all see the charging points at service stations with their Ecotricity branding.  Probably not many of us have yet used them but that network has expanded rapidly and the green transport industry has developed rapidly from cars with a range of 80 miles taking several hours to charge to half-hour fast charges giving a range of some 250 miles.  What may we expect in the future?

   The future is where Ecotricity has its focus, with its prime target audience likely to be a little younger than the members of our club!  The symbol of that is the promotion of the “Young Green Britons Competition” as future generations are invited to focus on energy, transport, food and nature with understanding of the need for all of us to respect the needs of the whole planet rather than of our individual desires and expectations.

   A salutary message for all of us, and we can be proud of our area being home to such innovative responses to our need for greenness. 

Thank you, Helen!