Electricity North West: Lancashire benefits from investment in community energy scheme

Electricity North West, which powers East Lancashire, says that the money was invested as part of its annual Powering Our Communities scheme which aims to support the development of community and local energy initiatives ranging from providing advice on energy efficiency to supporting energy users who are living in vulnerable circumstances.

The company has funded seven projects across the region including Green Rose CIC’s Energy Ambassador scheme in Lancashire, which intends to recruit community volunteers across the county to help residents cut energy bills and stay warm, along with the Carbon Co-op and Youth Focus North West, which both aim to connect and educate young people on environmental issues across Lancashire and Greater Manchester.

Electricity North West community energy manager Helen Seagrave said: “We’re now in our third year of running the Powering our Communities Fund and the quality of the initiatives gets better every year.

“This year’s projects not only help communities to reduce their carbon footprint, and so help edge us closer towards the North West’s net zero targets, but also encourage communities to work together on a shared goal, something that is central to a green recovery after the pandemic.”

Meanwhile the company has also funded projects further afield with similar aims.

In Lancaster, Electricity North West has invested in the Lune Valley Community Land Trust in Lancaster, which will aim to deliver a feasibility study to provide communal electric vehicle charging points for a new social housing development, while projects in Cumbria include helping Ainstable Parish Council to install solar powered lighting to five community areas and supporting people in Broughton-in-Furness work their way out of fuel poverty with Energy Local CIC and its Logan Gill hydro scheme.

To find out more, go to: https://www.enwl.co.uk/go-net-zero/community-and-local-energy/supporting-community-energy/funding/.