08 July 2010
A secondary school in Lytham St Annes, Lancashire, is proving its dedication to being sustainable by installing 99 solar panels on its roof to generate green energy.
Saint Bede’s Catholic High School, in Talbot Road, had the final panels fitted last month and it is anticipated that they will generate more than 14,000 kWh of electricity and save seven tonnes of carbon being emitted each year.
The installation will also soon have a ‘real time’ visual display of the energy that is created, which will be linked to the school’s website.
The £100,000 cost of the project was paid for with £30,000 from the EDF Energy Green Fund, £50,243 from the Government’s Low Carbon Building’s Programme, and the remainder from Lancashire Local Authority’s energy loan scheme.
Headteacher Phil Grice is thrilled with the installation. He said: “As a school we’re hugely committed to becoming more sustainable and the pupils are really pleased that we’re becoming even more ‘green’. Once the external display is installed, students will be able to see first-hand how much energy the panels are creating and the extent to which we are reducing our carbon footprint.
“It’s tremendous to get financial support from EDF Energy to install these sort of technologies, as it not only helps us to greatly reduce our carbon footprint but is also a physical reminder to us all that there are alternatives to fossil fuels.”
Peter Thorn, who leads EDF Energy’s Programme for Greener Schools, said: “We are proud to support this solar energy project at Saint Bede’s and are committed to helping schools install renewable energy technology. The installation will hopefully encourage the children to make further contributions to the fight against climate change now and in years to come.”
This is not the school’s first ‘green’ endeavour. It recently won the Outstanding Sustainable School category at the Times Educational Schools Awards 2010 and was also selected from more than 350 applicants to be one of the 10 finalists of NESTA’s (National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts) Big Green Challenge due to its many sustainable initiatives.
As well as fitting a ground source heat pump to heat one of the school’s buildings, St Bede’s has installed loft and wall insulation, movement-sensitive lighting and water-saving devices. Staff and pupils have also established a huge allotment area which is run as a commercial and social enterprise.
Saint Bede’s sustainable ethos doesn’t end there. Over the past 18 months there have been a great number of activities and clubs, such as a Junk Fashion Show, Swap Club and a ‘Green Dragon’s Den’ event to encourage awareness from pupils who may not have a direct interest in the environment.
EDF Energy has awarded £4million to 233 renewable energy projects since the Green Fund was launched in 2001, including £1.48million to 94 projects in schools, nurseries and colleges. The fund supports renewable energy projects which produce power from the sun, wind, water and geothermal sources that reduce greenhouse gases linked to global warming. Awards of up to £30,000 are available for projects in Great Britain and such funds have helped schools, charities, local authorities, churches, water mills and other non-profit organisations to generate clean, green energy in their own community.
So far 7,662 schools have joined The Pod, EDF Energy’s Programme for Greener Schools, launched to help children, parents and teachers lead low-carbon lifestyles. As a Sustainability Partner of London 2012, EDF Energy aims to reach 2.5million children by 2012 through The Pod, at www.jointhepod.org, part of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games ‘Get Set’ www.london2012.com/getset education programme.
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For further information please contact Charlotte Mitchell in the EDF Energy Press Office on 01293 509144.
Notes to editors:
1. EDF Energy is one of the UK’s largest energy companies, producing around one-fifth of the nation's electricity from its nuclear, coal and gas power stations, as well as combined heat and power plants and wind farms. The company provides power to a quarter of the UK’s population via its electricity distribution networks and supplies gas and electricity to more than 5.5 million business and residential customers. It is the number one supplier of electricity to major business in the UK. EDF Energy’s safe and secure operation of its eight existing nuclear power stations at sites across the country makes it the UK’s largest generator of low carbon electricity. EDF Energy is also leading the UK's nuclear renaissance and has published plans to build four new nuclear reactors, subject to the right investment framework. These new plants would generate enough low carbon electricity for about 40% of Britain’s homes. They would make an important contribution to the UK’s future needs for clean, secure and affordable energy. The project is already creating business and job opportunities for British companies and workers. Through Our Climate and Social Commitments EDF Energy has launched the biggest environmental and social programme of any UK energy company. EDF is the official energy utilities partner and sustainability partner of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The company is also helping its customers and others use energy more sustainably through products and initiatives such as Read, Reduce, Reward and Team Green Britain. EDF Energy is part of EDF Group, one of Europe’s largest power companies. Following the integration with British Energy in 2009, the company employs nearly 20,000 people at locations across the UK.
2. The Green Fund awards are possible through EDF Energy’s Green Tariff for consumers who decide to choose renewable energy for their home. Customers on the tariff pay less than £15 a year extra towards the Green Fund, which EDF Energy matches pound for pound. Customers can choose renewable energy for their home by calling 0800 096 9696 and requesting information on EDF Energy’s Green Tariff. Each Green Tariff customer receives an energy efficiency pack including a free home energy survey, information on energy efficiency grants, energy efficiency advice and two low energy light bulbs which can save £18 per year on your electricity bill.
3. The 99 Sharp photovoltaic panels were installed by Energi Plc.