Reed Hall in Bellingham, Northumberland, has received funding to help provide energy resilience to the local community in times of need.   

Northern Powergrid Foundation, the charitable arm of Northern Powergrid, the company responsible for the electricity distribution network that powers the lives of 8 million people in the North East, Yorkshire and northern Lincolnshire, is passionate about being able to support innovative organisations and community projects addressing energy-related challenges of community resilience, fuel poverty, and the net zero transition.   

Reed Hall, located in the rural village of Bellingham, received £20,000 from the Foundation for energy storage batteries to be connected to their existing solar panels. This will enable the hall to be self sufficient during power interruptions but also save money day to day due to the batteries storing electricity ready. This enables the hall to be able to support its local residents during times of by giving them a comfortable place to reside.  

The support from Northern Powergrid Foundation has enabled the hall to remain open to deliver these vital services to its local community during times of power interruptions as the electricity supply will be able to switch from the mains supply to the battery during times when power cuts occur or when the hall wishes to save on their energy bills. Having the ability to draw power from the storage battery during times of power interruptions means the hall can then be used as an emergency hub by providing lighting, heating and refreshments in a safe place to congregate for the predominantly elderly community.  

Peter Loyd, Chairman said "Thanks to the grant funding from Northern Powergrid Foundation our hall can continue to be a hub of activity even during times of power interruptions. Due to the rural location of Bellingham we are prone to power cuts of varying durations, by having a place to congregate our community we can keep warm and connected during these times. Away from power cuts, the hall benefits from reduced utility bills by drawing electricity down from the energy storage battery. Our community are grateful to have this safe place to reside as a group, especially during the isolated cold and dark wintery months and to benefit from reduced financial outlay.” 

With severe weather, the cost-of-living crisis increasing the number of households in fuel poverty, and the net zero transition transforming the energy system, communities are adapting to a changing energy landscape. The Foundation has worked with community innovators to empower local action, scaling up existing schemes to expand their impact, and providing financial support and energy expertise in the face of a changing climate. Over the course of its first year, 60 community projects working to overcome energy-related challenges of community resilience, fuel poverty, and the net zero transition have been supported. Projects have included a wide range of initiatives, from funding programmes producing free energy efficiency measures to fuel poor households, to installing solar panels and battery storage at community hubs to improve resilience.  

Louise Lowes, Northern Powergrid Foundation Trustee said: “Northern Powergrid Foundation is delighted to provide funding to Reed Hall to help keep the community connected in the event of a power disruption. Long may the hall support the residents of Bellingham. The Foundation is currently receiving applications, in this funding round the Foundation trustees are looking forward to reading up on projects seeking funds to further empower communities to become more resilient as well as supporting communities with their net zero transition, and scale up innovative solutioning to fuel poverty. More information about our live grant funding round is available on our website". 

More about Northern Powergrid Foundation  

Northern Powergrid Foundation has awarded funds to communities across the North East, Yorkshire and northern Lincolnshire served by Northern Powergrid. The 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 and empowering communities focused on helping to tackle energy resilience during emergency events, vulnerability, fuel poverty, levelling the rural divide, innovation, and community collaboration. The Foundation will work with community partners to identify the best ways to create a positive and enduring impact for communities located within Northern Powergrid’s region.  

The Foundation is proud to have funded 60 projects totalling over £860,000 across all the charity’s priorities located within Northern Powergrid’s regions. Over 40 of which are unique and exciting energy resilience projects for communities within Northumberland and County Durham (totalling £560,000) worst affected by the winter storms of 2021/22. These projects have largely been for the creation of, or the expansion of community hubs with energy resilience pieces of kit such as: generators, solar panels and heat pumps.  

How to apply for funding 

Following the success of grant support throughout 2023, Northern Powergrid Foundation will look to support further projects across its three funding priorities - community resilience, fuel poverty innovation, and net zero networks. Projects could include funding equipment that enables a community hub to become more energy resilient, scaling the impact of community innovators tackling fuel poverty, or funding the development of networks to support local action on net zero and the transition to clean energy systems. 

cThe Foundation encourages organisations who are addressing these specific issues across the North East, Yorkshire and northern Lincolnshire to visit its website to learn more about eligibility and grants and to apply.  

The Foundation’s current funding round is open to grant applications until May 13, 2024. Community groups interested in finding out more about the Foundation and when to apply for funding up to £20,000 should visit www.northernpowergridfoundation.com. 

Reed Hall photo caption L-R: Peter Loyd, Chairman, volunteers and Anne Haswell, Northern Powergrid Foundation Manager (interim), inside Reed Hall, Bellingham, Northumberland.