E4A News

New Transmitter fitted at West Solent Solar Co-op

August 18, 2020

New transmitter fitted at West Solent Solar Co-operative

West Solent Solar Cooperative (WSSC) has just completed the installation of a brand-new ABB cast resin transformer at their Lymington solar farm.

The ABB model replaces the original oil transformer which had developed problems. The ABB unit is compact enough to fit within the existing transformer cabin and meets marine specifications (vital for its coastal location). It is also equipped with integral cooling fans and temperature controls to ensure it cannot overheat.

The work has been successfully completed by managing contractor, Arun Construction Services Ltd, along with subcontractors Burnell Switchgear and Control, and Portable Space Ltd, who all provided a very neat installation not only within a tight timescale, but also within a very tight space as can be seen from this picture!

The project was directed by WSSC with technical support from consultant electrical engineer, Paul Carder of Power System Consulting Ltd and Geoff Hodge of Fundamentals Ltd.

Four Winds Hospice Donations

June 5, 2020

Four Winds Energy Co-operative shows community spirit with donations totaling £7000 following urgent appeals from local hospices

Four Winds Energy Co-operative Ltd has made two donations totaling £7,000, split equally between Barnsley Hospice and Ashgate Hospicecare, Chesterfield after both hospices launched urgent appeals during the current Coronavirus pandemic.

Founded in 2013, Four Winds is a community-owned co-operative meaning members of the public own a stake in their local renewable energy source and thus benefit from the sale of green electricity over two sites in Duckmanton and Shafton.

After receiving the grant, Ian Muffett, Deputy CEO at Barnsley Hospice commented “Barnsley Hospice was delighted to receive this donation. In these difficult times we have had to curtail our patient visiting arrangements to protect both patients and our staff. This has meant that families cannot see each other as they would otherwise like. This donation will be used to improve technology provision, improving links for patients to enable them to keep in contact with family and friends whilst receiving high quality care here in the Hospice.”

Tina Croley, Trusts and Grants Fundraiser at Ashgate Hospicecare also said “We are incredibly grateful to the Four Winds Energy Co-operative Community Fund for helping us to continue to support our patients and their families during the Coronavirus outbreak by donating an amazing £3,500.

“Thank you so much to them and their members for their support which will enable us to reach our community at a time when our care is needed more than ever.”

Eddie Peat, Director of Four Winds Co-operative said “The Coronavirus crisis has caused considerable difficulties for most charitable organisations that rely on donations as well as income from their charity shops and other enterprises which have all closed.

“Four Winds makes annual donations to organisations local to its turbines at Shafton near Barnsley and Duckmanton near Chesterfield. We became aware of emergency appeals launched by both Ashgate and Barnsley Hospices and wanted to help them, both of which have continued to provide vital services to clients in their communities. As a result of this, the Four Winds Co-op Board very quickly approved and paid grants of £3,500 to each hospice in response to their emergency appeals. I think that this is a very good use of our community fund at a time of so much uncertainty and lack of funds for both organisations. I am really pleased that we have been able to make this contribution to the magnificent work that both hospices do in their communities.”

Any local community project that meets the criteria can apply for a donation from the Four Winds community fund; applications are considered on a quarterly basis. Further details and how to apply can be found on the Community Fund page at www.fourwinds.coop . A sample portfolio of projects assisted by Four Winds in the past are also located here.

Four Winds Co-operative are supported and assisted by Energy4All. Four Winds is one of the family of twenty seven community energy co-operatives developed by Energy4All, demonstrating the power of co-operation in the renewables sector.

The Naturesave donation aids Energise South

April 27, 2020

Donation by The Naturesave Trust aids Community Society to install Solar PV on Hastings’ Community Buildings

Energise South Community Society successfully raised over £400,000 via a Community share offer in November 2019 for the installation of solar PV on five buildings in the Sussex and Kent area. Supported by Energy4All Ltd this was backed by an amazing £5,000 grant from The Naturesave Trust.

The funds raised from the share offer have been used to install Solar Panels on the five buildings in the Hasting’s area (including the largest at The St Leonards Academy (this will be one of the largest community owned solar roofs in the United Kingdom). Further buildings have been identified which will result in a further share offer from as early as May 2020.

Speaking after the money was successfully raised, Julia Hilton, Chair of Energise South said “The grant we obtained from The Naturesave Trust was invaluable to the Society as it was used to pay for up front costs such as building surveys and planning fees meaning 100% of the money raised through our share offer can go directly into the project itself to the benefit our Community ”.

The Naturesave Trust is funded by the activities of Naturesave Insurance, the UKs leading ethical insurance provider for individuals, businesses, charities and community groups https://www.naturesave.co.uk/the-naturesave-trust

Energise South is supported and assisted by Energy4All. Energise South is one of the family of twenty seven community energy co-operatives developed by Energy4All, demonstrating the power of co-operation in the renewables sector.