Among the successful projects is the Streetly Association Sport and Community Centre, in Walsall, West Midlands.
Built in 1974 and operated by voluntary community group, The Streetly Association, the centre provides a range of community activities including language courses and arts and craft sessions. It serves people of all ages, from pensioners for recreation to young sports competitors - the centre has hosted England Badminton trials. The building is situated in Walsall, an area that was announced in December 2003 as a focus for regeneration.
The bolt-on installation of a photovoltaic system will be part of the much-needed refurbishment of the sports hall roof, where the south-facing relatively high situation is well suited to photovoltaics. The new roof will also have improved insulation, and low energy lighting will be installed as part of the refurbishment to help reduce energy demands further.
The 80,000 users of the centre each year will be made aware of the system through a large display in the foyer, providing an excellent resource for local teachers.
Malcolm Wicks also announced £30 million funding over three years for the Low Carbon Building Programme (LCBP) which will replace the PV and Clear Skies schemes next spring and presented plans to bring forward £1.5million now to help those schemes meet increased demand.
He said: "The installation of microgeneration products such as micro-turbines, solar panels and air source heat pumps are an excellent way for individuals, communities and businesses to make their own contribution to tackling climate change. Streetly Association's Sport and Community Centre is a prime example of this.
"As these become more widespread they can help to teach this and future generations about the benefits of renewable energy and the need to use our resources more responsibly.
"The Low Carbon Building Programme will be designed to take a holistic approach to reducing carbon emissions from buildings by combining innovative combinations of micro-renewable technologies and energy efficiency measures. As well as continuing to fund single installations, the programmes will fund large-scale developments in the public and private sectors. Potential beneficiaries could include schools, leisure centres or even remote villages that are not connected to the grid."
Ian Marchant, Chief Executive, Scottish and Southern Electricity said: "The energy supply sector fully recognises the vital importance of increasing energy efficiency and the increased use of more sustainable ways of powering and heating homes and workplaces. There is significant appetite for taking up the challenges that lower carbon buildings represent and this additional funding is another useful step in the right direction."
The grant programme is just one part of the Government's strategy to promote microgeneration, which aims to remove those barriers currently hindering the development of a sustainable market for these products.
Malcolm Wicks said: "I am also calling on the major players in the energy field to work with my department in order to expand the microgeneration sector, with a particular emphasis on renewable energy technology on school buildings. We have already aided 184 schools with their projects including The Lord Silkin School in Telford, Shropshire and I will be having further discussions with companies such as Shell, EDF, SSE and Scottish Power, all of whom have expressed support, so that we can examine ways of working together to achieve our aims."
Vincent de Rivaz, Chief Executive of EDF Energy has given his backing for the Minister's plans: "We are delighted to support this initiative and look forward to working with the Minister and his team to help ensure its success. There is no silver bullet for dealing with the challenge posed by climate change. Energy efficiency will be vital and even though EDF Energy is a leader in this field I am convinced there is a great deal more to be done to encourage the changes in behaviour which can really make a difference to energy consumption."
The microgeneration industry is also responding positively to the Government's focus on the sector. "We welcome the DTI's recognition of the need for continuity of support." said Philip Wolfe, Chief Executive of the Renewable Power Association, referring to the Minister's recent confirmation of an April target date for the start of the LCBP. "Mass market renewables provide an important new dimension to the sustainable energy mix and the best way of engaging the public in this issue".
Schools in the West Midlands that have benefited from DTI grants include:
The Lord Silkin School, District Centre, Stirchley, Telford, Shropshire
Ladygrove Primary School, Telford, Shropshire
Swanshurst School, Birmingham, West Midlands
Maria Eagle MP, the DfES Minister responsible for sustainable development issues, welcomes the announcement by the Energy Minister, Malcolm Wicks, about funding for the Low Carbon Building Programme and supports his call on the industry to work with Government to further develop the microgeneration sector, which could help provide renewable energy technology for schools.
