Together we can make a difference

Natasha Shane, the Club’s new Head of Strategic Product Development and Sustainability, discusses some of the challenges the Club is facing with the rising cost of electricity, how we are responding and how you can help

Natasha Shane

The day-to-day cost of utilities on the UK Club campsite network remains high, mainly due to global energy prices. In fact, electricity prices have more than tripled since 2019.

To help balance these rising costs and ensure we can continue to reinvest and maintain our high quality sites, we had to apply price increases across our Club campsites. 

As we’re sure you’re aware, the Club uses revenue generated from site fees to both partially offset operational costs, and to provide a surplus for reinvestment back into improving the Club and UK campsites for the benefit of members. During 2023 almost £16m will be invested in improving, developing and maintaining Club campsites for our members. 

It’s not just about cost challenges, but also about how sustainable we are. We are all responsible for playing our part in protecting the environment, for example by reducing water usage, recycling waste, choosing sustainable products and saving energy. As part of our effort to make the Club more sustainable, we are asking all members to consider the amount of energy they use while staying on our campsites. We have been working with Green Tourism (the Club’s sustainability partner) for a number of years to help us. We have produced some on-site posters that provide hints and tips on reducing energy consumption.

By making these small changes during your stay, you can really help make a difference:

• Turn off lights and appliances when going out for the day
• Close curtains or blinds at night to keep your outfit warm
• Avoid using electric awning heaters 

What is the Club doing?

Metering

An example of bollards being used in our metering trial

Many members have asked when the Club will introduce on-pitch electric metering.

We have spent the past 12 months researching the market to find a metering solution and we are exploring two options that we will trial this year.

The first trial will be carried out at Wyatt’s Covert Club Campsite in Buckinghamshire from late spring. The second site is Ashridge Farm in Hertfordshire – the trial is expected to take place during the latter part of 2023. These trials will help us understand how easy the metering solutions are for members to use and importantly how much this helps reduce the use of electricity. More information will be provided ahead of the trial.

Renewable energy

Wyatts Covert Club Campsite in Buckinghamshire

The Club has created an Energy Reduction Working Group which is focused on driving down the usage and the cost of energy in the future. There is a key focus on renewable energy, including the addition of photovoltaic panels on all new developments (currently only on facility blocks, but this may soon be extended to all suitable roofs on the campsite); also, the use of ground source heat pumps and heat recovery units. Low energy light bulbs are also in use and we continue to trial solar lighting solutions on some sites to measure their effectiveness. See page 56 of the January magazine for more details.

 

• Visit the Club’s new Sustainability Hub on our website to find out about current initiatives and for the latest updates on the metering trial. See camc.com/sustainability.