Forest Row Energy Co-op is getting excited about their new project – to bring community generated renewable heat to Forest Row and the surrounding towns and villages. To make it happen the Co-op needs expressions of interest from the community.
Forest Row Energy Co-op is getting excited about their new project – to bring community generated renewable heat to Forest Row and the surrounding towns and villages. To make it happen the Co-op needs expressions of interest from the community.
The aim of the project is to reduce carbon emissions and energy costs in the area. It will include a feasibility study to put in place community generated renewable heat. This will consider heat pumps that extract heat from the ground, water or air and heat produced from boilers that use biomass as a fuel.
Around 20% of the UK’s carbon emissions come from domestic heating. Renewable heating systems such as ground source heat pumps can reduce carbon emissions by 60%, compared with a gas boiler heating system. Community based renewable heating can also save residents up to 60% on their heating bills.
Forest Row Energy Co-op plans to make an application to the Rural Community Energy Fund for a (non-repayable) grant of up to £20,000 to fund a feasibility study and financing plans for this project.
For us to receive this funding we need expressions of interest from social housing landlords, housing associations and residents groups who are interested in taking part in our feasibility study. If the funding bid is successful and you take part in the study, all you would need to do is request information from tenants about home energy performance and invite residents to consultation events.
If renewable heating is found to be feasible in your area, you could benefit from it being put in place at no charge to you or the residents, under a community share offer. This will benefit residents in your area and promote ‘green investment’ in our community.
At this stage all you need to do is reply to forestrowenergy@gmail.com to express your interest. Please leave us your name, contact details, a brief description your position and the properties that you are able to engage with. You are under no obligation to take part in the study if the funding bid is successful. A more project briefing is available on request.
Thank you!
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