European eye on North East's renewable energy efforts (Fiona Hall MEP)

Fiona Hall MEP <info@fionahall.org.uk>

European eye on North East's renewable energy efforts

May 13, 2009 12:00 AM

Johannes Lebech visit North East-based Community Energy Solutions (CES) will become the focus of Europe today (Wed 13th) to see how it is successfully tackling the issue of providing renewable home heating solutions to off-gas communities.

Lib Dem MEP for North East England, Fiona Hall, who sits on European Parliament's Industry Research and Energy Committee, will be showing Environment committee member and Danish MEP Johannes Lebech around a range of successful projects CES has completed in the region.

The whistle-stop tour of the region will take in projects in North Blyth, Central Newcastle, Derwentside and Middleton-in-Teesdale. They are all ambitious schemes that have been completed or are currently underway, where CES has been able to pull together the relevant technical and financial assistance to help those living off the gas mains supply and in so-called fuel poverty.

Fiona Hall MEP: "It's fantastic to be welcoming my Danish colleague, Mr Lebech, with whom I have worked on environment issues, to the North East. I am pleased that the fantastic work CES has done, and continues to do, will be held up as a model of responsible, successful and impactful renewable energy activity.

"We will be showing Mr Lebech how CES's non-profit status has succeeded in bringing together public and private funds to assist those residents who are in need of help the most."

During Fiona Hall's tour, she will visit an eco property in Glebeside, Satley, which is situated in a rural area without a gas supply.

This property has been converted by Derwentside Homes to provide a number of renewable technologies for tenants. The property has benefited from the replacement of the existing solid fuel central heating and hot water system with a pioneering Air Source Heat Pump and Hydroflame fire, together with two solar panels, cylinder hot water system, and argon filled double glazed units.

Derwentside Homes has drawn up plans to roll these technologies out to four other properties in this area in a bid to reduce carbon emissions and fuel costs for tenants.

David Lacey, project director for CES says: "We are delighted to be hosting Ms Hall and her European guests. Hundreds of properties across the North East have been assisted and we are thrilled to be in a position to show the rest of Europe how we have working with organisations such as Derwentside Homes to tackle the blight of 'fuel poverty' by either getting people connected to the mains gas supplies, or installing renewable technologies, such as air source heat pumps and biomass boilers."

CES is a non-profit distributing organisation established with core funding from One North East and the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC). It has helped thousands of homes to install new cleaner and greener fuel systems, helping homes to save on their fuel bills and dramatically cut carbon emissions in the process.

New funding now means CES will also be able to focus its attentions on the micro-renewable market, helping those people who are able to pay make the right choices when looking to purchase new eco-friendly fuel systems, such as wood-burning stoves or air source heat pumps.

Steve Melvin, Director of Development and Property Services for Derwentside Homes, said: "We are very honoured that Fiona Hall is taking the time to view the innovative technology we are using in Glebeside, Satley.

"As a company, we are deeply committed to the sustainability of the environment and community and it has been a real pleasure working with CES throughout the project."