Ten clean, cheap community energy schemes for Southwark thanks to the Mayor

New figures from the London Assembly show that the Mayor of London has invested in 167 community energy projects across London, including ten in Southwark. 

Southwark's projects include: 

• Southwark LED lighting sites: Sustainable Energy 24 (SE24) have been awarded £4,961 to identify and engage with community buildings suitable for LED lighting retrofits and to produce communication materials, alongside Southwark Council. 
• LED lighting for Goodrich Community Primary School: SE24 were also awarded £10,900 to install LED lighting at Goodrich Primary School in East Dulwich. The new lighting will reduce the school’s carbon emissions and increase awareness of energy efficiency amongst the students and staff. 
• The RJ4All Rotherhithe Community Centre: Restorative Justice for All (RJ4All) have secured up to £5,000 to co-design and map out the potential to decarbonise their community centre. The funding will be used to engage the centre’s users who will produce recommendations regarding the installation of Solar PV and other energy saving measures that will reduce the site’s carbon emissions.  

 £156,875 has been invested in Southwark Community Energy Projects, which see local people come together to help make facilities like libraries and sport halls cheaper to run.  

As well as fitting solar panels onto or putting heat pumps into local buildings, many community energy groups offer advice through Energy Cafes, often hosted in libraries or Citizens Advice Bureaus, on how to reduce bills. Many people have benefited from Energy Advice sessions, which are crucial since gas and electricity bills shot up two years ago. 

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, is helping Londoners reduce their bills. As well as the Community Energy Fund, the Mayor spearheaded world-leading schemes to help London, including:   

• Increased the Home Energy ratings, reduced bills and raised the comfort and warmth of over 5,540 homes through his Warmer Homes Programme. 
• Supported over 21,500 households across all 33 London boroughs through his Warmer Homes Advice Service which provides advice and referrals on reducing fuel costs.   
• Supported eight councils and housing associations to retrofit 1,800 social homes so that tenants can benefit from lower bills, as well as lobbying the government for tighter regulation on energy efficiency and funding for retrofit.  

Marina Ahmad, London Assembly Member for Lambeth and Southwark, said: 

“Given rising energy costs and a climate emergency, we know that community energy projects are more important than ever.  

“I’m thrilled to see our area benefit from this scheme. These EIGHT projects will help our community save money – all the while contributing to London’s Net Zero goal. 

“Thank you to all the community groups who have taken part so far – we hope the Mayor responds to calls and builds on the success of his programme by opening funding for a seventh round.”