Mayor funds clean, cheap community energy project in Redbridge

Londonwide Labour Assembly Member Elly Baker has welcomed funding from the Mayor of London for a community energy projects in Redbridge. This initiative is part of a city-wide plan to give London a chance of meeting Net Zero and seriously address the climate emergency.  

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

£8,810 has been awarded to Vine goes green, a URC Church in Redbridge to carry out a feasibility study of energy efficiency, renewable heating and solar PV on their church’s community centre.

More than half a million has been invested in 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.  

Elly Baker AM, a Londonwide Labour Assembly Member, said: 

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

“I’m really pleased to see Redbridge benefit from this scheme. This project will help the community centre 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.”