Green makeover for low carbon winners

Twelve communities from across the UK are today celebrating after winning up to £500,000 each to help install new green technologies such as solar panels, hydro turbines and energy saving insulation.

The grant money, awarded through the Government’s Low Carbon Community Challenge, will be spent on a range of green measures which will cut carbon, save money on energy bills, and could even see some communities make cash from generating their own energy – thanks to the Government’s new clean energy scheme.

Energy and Climate Change Minister Joan Ruddock said:  "The huge enthusiasm for the Low Carbon Communities Challenge demonstrates that local people are passionate about building a low carbon future in the UK. Today’s winners will act as a test bed for green action, and show us all what a greener future looks like.

“This sort of action is vital because over a quarter of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions come from heating, lighting and powering electrical appliances in our homes. By 2050 this needs to be almost zero and we can only achieve that through the creative initiative of local communities.”

In total, 22 communities will benefit from the £10million Low Carbon Community Challenge grant fund. The aim of the fund is to inform government of what works at a community level to cut emissions. The first ten winners were announced on 21st December last year.

Ashton Hayes, near Chester, Cheshire is amongst the twelve communities:
Since 2005, Ashton Hayes has been working to become England’s first carbon neutral community and has already cut average household emissions of the 370 homes by 23% since May 2006. It will spend the money on a various renewable generation technologies which will power part of the community. This includes a renewable energy CHP plant and solar panel focused on the school. This will link with measures to encourage energy efficiency via real time displays and demand side management.

Contact - Garry Charnock gcharnock@rsk.co.uk 07968 063624