Centre for Sustainable Energy
Analysis
Centre for Sustainable Energy is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Bristol. It was registered in March 1988, 38 years ago. Its declared purposes cover general charitable purposes, education/training, the prevention or relief of poverty and environment/conservation/heritage, which this site groups under poverty relief. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 02219673). It says it provides services, provides advocacy/advice/information and sponsors or undertakes research.
In the financial year ending March 2025, Centre for Sustainable Energy reported income of £11.7m and spending of £11.5m, spending 98% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from March 2021 to March 2025, income grew from £4.0m to £11.7m (+193%), an average of +31% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to March 2024, when income rose by 50%. Over the whole period it spent 98% of the income it received.
Among 15,276 England and Wales charities whose main cause is poverty relief and that reported income, Centre for Sustainable Energy sits at the 99th percentile: it is one of the largest 1% in its cause. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 99th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include The Raphael Freshwater Memorial Association (£11.7m), North London Cost Shop (£11.7m) and Developing Health and Independence (£11.5m).
In its latest detailed accounts, income came from charitable activities 100%. Charitable activities took 99% of spending and raising funds 0.0%. Grants to other organisations totalled £777k. Reserves of £1.7m would cover about 2 months of spending at that rate. It employed 147 people.
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Donations 0.1%
- Charitable activities 100%
- Other 0.0%
In the charity's own words
CSE's mission is to advance sustainable energy policy and practice. CSE seeks energy solutions that engage people and communities to meet real needs for both environmentally sound and affordable energy services. Ending the misery of cold homes and enabling action to tackle the threat of climate change are core objectives.Work is delivered in partnership with many agencies.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| The Raphael Freshwater Memorial Association | London | £11.7m |
| North London Cost Shop | London | £11.7m |
| Developing Health and Independence | Bath | £11.5m |
| Fuel Bank Foundation | Staffordshire | £11.8m |