Power Up North London has been successful in its application for funding via the Energy Redress Scheme, from the Energy Saving Trust. Here is what Energy Redress said about the £20,190 grant:

Caxton House is a long-established multi-purpose Community Hub. They have worked in partnership with Power Up North London (PUNL), a local community energy group, since 2018 on a range of energy initiatives and energy saving and advice workshops for vulnerable residents. This work will complement other projects from the Centre that are supporting residents during the current cost of living crisis. The project will increase the energy advice services provided for vulnerable residents in Islington through weekly 1:1 sessions, across 18 months, where advice will be given on how to save both on energy consumption and costs through behaviour changes, energy saving measures, alternative tariffs and accessing available discounts and services. Home visits will be conducted to fit the measures for our most vulnerable residents. They will raise awareness of support schemes such as the warm homes discount, winter fuel payments, cost of living payments. priority services register and Islington Council’s SHINE service.

The first PUNL Community Energy Fund project came to fruition at the beginning of May when pupils from Parliament Hill School planted a “feminist orchard”.

Thirty students from Years 7 to 9 helped plant 11 fruit trees in a circle, laid wildflower turf and dug a pond. 

The names of the trees will be submitted by pupils and decided on by the school’s climate action group.

PUNL set up the Community Energy Fund in 2020. It uses surplus funds from the business activity of Power Up North London to encourage and support community action in reducing carbon in our atmosphere. The fund is administered by a committee formed of PUNL shareholders and members of our board of directors.

PUNL has been awarded several grants from the London Community Energy Fund to enable energy efficiency and carbon savings on two important projects in Islington.

The Caxton House project aims to reduce carbon emissions from space and water heating for the community centre by installing an air or ground source heat pump. The heat pump will reduce carbon emissions by c80% and gas consumption from the grid (for heating and hot water) by 100%. The heat pump will deliver estimated net carbon savings of 21t – 23t a year. The grant is for £50,000. In parallel PUNL is working with Caxton House to improve energy efficiency by replacing windows, fixing draughts in doors, and upgrading the building management system. The work complements the former and is for £13,400.

The Paradise Park children’s centre project is for LED lights to achieve financial and carbon savings. The lower electricity consumption will help reduce electricity costs by c30 – 40% and the savings will be used to improve service provision. It is estimated the project would save £1,256 annually in running costs. The grant is for £2,252.