Grants are on offer to help residents in Norwich go green by funding the installation of renewable energy technologies.
With almost £100,ooo being made available, families and community groups in Broadland are being encouraged to apply for the grants if they are interested in applying renewable energy technologies as a way of cutting carbon emissions and being more energy efficient.
In 2008, the Government awarded Broadland District Council with just under £290,000 to help provide grants to assist local environmentally friendly schemes when it came to purchasing and installing air source heat pumps, solar PV panels and solar water heating systems.
And so the Broadland Community Renewables Scheme was born. Despite a somewhat tentative start, the scheme has proved to be popular and so far seven community groups have been awarded funding to invest in renewable energy. Around £92,000 still remains in the pot, with many of the community projects having come in under budget.
Successful projects included Spixworth Infant School, who received £8,500 for the installation of a solar hot water system, and Reepham Primary School, who were able to fit solar photovoltaic panels thanks to a £20,000 grant. Horsford Church Rooms received just under £7,000 for an air source heat pump to replace old electric heaters in the hall, while Wroxham Football Club was awarded £12,000 to provide hot water in the club’s changing rooms.
“This has been an extremely popular scheme. It’s an excellent scheme and I’m pleased we’ve got this extra money available for it,” said John Fisher, cabinet member for environmental excellence.
