Community Interest Company

A Community Interest Company (CIC) is a new type of company designed for social enterprises that want to use their profits and assets for the public good. A social enterprise is a business with primarily social objectives whose profits are reinvested in the business or in the community, rather than being driven by the need to maximise profit for shareholders or owners.

CICs are regulated by an independent official body, appointed by the Secretary of
State for Trade and Industry.

As a CIC, we are not profit driven. An asset lock is placed on all company assets and payment of dividends is capped at 5% of net profits, with net profits available to support renewable energy projects aimed at benefiting disadvantaged peoples, both in
the UK & the developing world. Fair Energy works in partnership with government, charities, business and other organisations to promote ecological and technological energy solutions.

Fair Energy net profits will be directed in 3 main areas:

• Promotion of the benefits and opportunities of district heating systems, undertaking consultation for schemes, design and viability assessment, and installation. We aim to offer this service free or at low cost to small communities and local councils within the UK
• Research and development of renewable energy solutions for developing countries. We are involved in the development of technologies that will help alleviate fuel poverty and the need for women in developing countries to collect firewood for cooking and the
  deforestation it causes. We are investigating a number of relevant technologies and working in partnership with other organisations.
• Implementation of renewable energy projects in the developing world. This involves listening to and working with local people and giving support in education, design and manufacturing of renewable energy technologies with the aim of providing real results in alleviating fuel poverty in the developing world.