A north Cumbrian community centre will install solar panels and battery storage in a £63,000 project.
Brampton and Beyond Community Trust (BBCT) has announced the scheme for Brampton Community Centre, funded by the Government’s Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise Energy Efficiency Scheme.
It will be carried out by Eden Solar.
The trust said it had long aspired to adopt solar energy to reduce operational costs and reinvest the savings into supporting the diverse activities that benefit the local community. This significant step forward ensures a more sustainable and cost-efficient future for the centre.
Initially, the trust partnered with Brampton 2 Zero, a Community Interest Company dedicated to sustainable energy solutions and biodiversity improvement, on a solar co-operative that planned to install panels across multiple sites in Brampton, with energy being sold to the respective sites at below-market rates.
However, the funding opportunity offered by the VCSE Energy Efficiency Scheme was too valuable to pass up, the trust said and meant the community centre will now generate and use its own power at no additional cost.
Phil Furneaux, founding director of Brampton 2 Zero, said: “While we are saddened that Brampton and Beyond Community Trust is no longer part of our solar co-operative, we are thrilled to see them embrace sustainable energy solutions. Their progress contributes to our shared vision of promoting environmental responsibility across the community.”
James Porter, chairman of Brampton and Beyond Community Trust, added: “This project is a major milestone for the community centre.
“By lowering our energy costs, we can dedicate more resources to the programmes and services that enrich the lives of Brampton residents.
“We are grateful for the support of Brampton 2 Zero and the opportunities provided by the VCSE Energy Efficiency Scheme.”
The VCSE Energy Efficiency Scheme, funded by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, is a £25.5 million initiative designed to help organisations in England enhance energy efficiency. It offers energy assessments and capital grants to implement measures that reduce energy costs, support service delivery, and improve financial resilience.
