A centre which serves as a vital hub to its local community has received £20,000 funding from the Northern Powergrid Foundation to help reduce energy costs and provide a sustainable energy source to protect residents during a power crisis through the use of battery storage and solar panels.
The funding, which was successful on the grounds it would guarantee the operational benefits of the community centre during any potential energy crisis, is cost effective and will support all who enjoy the services provided by the centre. Funding from The Northern Powergrid Foundation will further support the community centre to provide Hexham’s residents with a safe and secure emergency refuge in times of crisis.
Hexham Community Centre, Gilesgate, part of the Hexham and Tynedale Community Trust, is one of the largest community centres in the North East, with potential to accommodate emergency accommodation for over 200 individuals. The centre has already established itself as a refuge for emergency flood responses and in the winter of 2022/23 took part in the Warm Places Programme in Hexham; providing a warm space and activities for people who struggled to heat their homes.
The project will provide Hexham’s residents with a safe and secure emergency refuge in times of crisis. The solar panels and battery storage facility will provide emergency power to our community centre regardless of any mains disruption in power supply. Thereby guaranteeing a heated refuge area on a landmark site. The solar panels with consist of 36 units providing an output of 365 Wp per panel. This will accommodate a saving of approximately £3,800 per year that can be given back to the community, as well as providing an emergency backup system during a power cut, helping the centre achieve financial sustainability in the face of rising energy costs. The centre can use its prominence and role as an education facility to advocate for and celebrate solar power.
Areas of Hexham are liable to flooding and vulnerable to power cuts during winter storms and other emergency events so the support has provided the community with the ability to function in the event of a power cut making the centre an ideal emergency refuge.
Guy Opperman MP, who has played a key role in supporting his community with its application and helped present the cheque to Hexham Community Centre said: “I am delighted that Hexham Community Centre has achieved this £20,000 grant. This partnership work will make a massive difference to Hexham. I want to thank all the communities who have supported my campaign, ensuring that community resilience is improved for future weather events."
Tom Pearson, Vice Chairperson said: “Hexham Community Centre is an emergency hub for flooding and extreme weather conditions. Inclusion of a power source will be a great resource towards dealing with emergency incidents.”
In the picture: Guy Opperman MP, Tom Pearson, Vice Chairperson, Councillor Trevor Cessford, Louise Lowes and Jodie Coe, Northern Powergrid Foundation Trustees, pictured at Hexham Community Centre, Gilesgate, Hexham, NE46 3NP.
The challenges for Hexham centre, Northumberland, residents
Due to the possibility of power interruptions impacting the vital community services at the Hexham Community Centre the centre manager identified a need to increase their energy resistance to provide a safe and secure emergency refuge in times of crisis.
The solution for Hexham centre, Northumberland, residents
The centre identified a need for solar panels and batteries to allow the centre to remain open for the local community to safely reside during times of power interruptions. Given the centre's size and location it has the ability to accommodate approximately 200 individuals during power cuts.
Support from the Northern Powergrid Foundation
The Northern Powergrid Foundation supported the community project with a £20,000 donation to go towards battery storage and solar panels.
More about the Northern Powergrid Foundation
The Northern Powergrid Foundation’s mission, complementing Northern Powergrid’s ambition to be a force for good in the communities it serves, is to support communities most affected by changes in the economy, environment, and society because of the shifting energy landscape. This will be achieved by supporting projects focused on helping to tackle energy resilience during emergency events, vulnerability, fuel poverty, levelling the rural divide, innovation, social support, and community collaboration. Funds are available to support the communities across the North East, Yorkshire and northern Lincolnshire served by Northern Powergrid.