The Energy Minister and Deputy Mayor of London have been pleased with laying of the groundwork. In Hounslow four more schools will save more than £100,000 on annual energy bills, following big investments renewable energy and energy efficiency improvements. Thus, Hounslow Council will reduce carbon emissions across the borough.
The Council has completed the final phase of decarbonisation programme at Feltham Hill Infant and Nursery School, Cardinal Road Primary School, Southville Primary School and Beavers Primary School, providing solar cells, eco-friendly LED lamps and initial roof developments.
The programme is concluded by reducing energy consumption for more than 400,000kWh annually, and under 84 tons of carbon emissions. Also, these developments will supply savings of thousand of pounds in energy costs, contribute to using the educational budget efficiently, and enable schools to learn and educate with more resources.
Assisted by Great British Energy’s Mayoral Renewables Fund, supplied by DESNZ, these projects encourage schools to decrease dependence on fossil fuels and produce their own clean electricity. Financing for solar facilities was guaranteed and given by the Mayor of London, whose local recognition, networks and partnerships served to identify the schools that would most benefit. Along with energy-efficiency improvements, the investment will help create more durable school buildings that are suitable for the future.
Minister of State for Energy, Micheal Shanks MP, said:
“Our priority is to bring down bills with homegrown energy-and these schools are already saving money thanks to our government-backed Great British Energy solar panels.
“It means that these schools, like many others across the country, can reinvest thousands of pounds back into the classroom where it belongs.”
London’s Deputy Mayor for Environment and Energy, Mete Çoban, added:
“This is climate action delivering real benefits for Londoners. By helping four Hounslow schools install solar panels and make their buildings more energy efficient, we are helping them to cut carbon emissions which are saving them more than £100,000 a year money that can instead support children’s education.
“The Mayor is proud to support these projects through Great British Energy’s Mayoral Renewables Fund. They show how investment in clean energy can lower bills, create greener and more resilient schools, and inspire young Londoners to play their part in tackling the climate crisis, as we build a fairer,greener London for everyone.”
Councillor Salman Shaheen, Cabinet Member for Environment, Transport and Public Realm at Hounslow Council, said:
“We’ve had a summer of record-breaking heat waves, a stark reminder of how important it is for us to do our big to prevent global heating, while the war in Iran once again spiking energy prices, which are hitting our schools along with everyone else. Every extra penny schools spend on energy, is a penny they can not spend on educating our children.
” The savings generated by these improvements can be reinvested into education, while the renewable energy systems help protect schools from rising energy prices in the future. Just as importantly, pupils can see climate action happening in their own school communities, helping us inspire the next generation to play their part in building a greener borough.”
On the other side of reducing energy costs and emissions, the project focuses on inspiring the next generation of eco-friendly leaders. Schools taking part in the programme will benefit from educational activities, centered on renewable energy, sustainability and climate action, helping pupils understand the role they can play in creating an eco-friendly future. The project develops part of the Council’s wider commitment to dealing with the climate emergency while delivering practical gains for local communities. By decreasing dependence on fossil fuels and protecting schools from future energy price volatility, the funding helps to create more resilient public buildings that are suitable for the next decades.
