Green efforts lead the way to cash boost - The Evesham Observer

Green efforts lead the way to cash boost

Evesham Editorial 28th Jan, 2021   0

GREEN energy chiefs from a Sedgeberrow group are celebrating after they were handed a £34,000 grant from the Rural Community Energy Fund.

Members of the Sedgeberrow Sustainable and Manageable Energy (SeSaME) group were handed he cash following a competitive grant process which saw them commended for a project which ‘stood out as being both innovative and having substantial social and community benefit.’

SeSaME members and villagers, with the aid of consultants Sharenergy will use the funds to explore ways of identifying how the community can move to low carbon energy sources, create a village energy map, produce an energy information booklet and undertake community energy research.

“Consultant funding for local energy feasibility studies will significantly help the village’s move to low carbon energy. Delivery and collection of the survey by volunteer villagers will be key to a successful return for Sharenergy’s work,” said SeSaME co-ordinator and chair Mike Parker.




SeSaMe members will edit and produce an energy booklet for householders available online: deliver it in hard copy to all Sedgeberrow residents and promote it amongst nearby rural communities.

“We plan to share more widely our exploration of the feasibility and practical challenges of community energy production, combined with retrofitting houses for conversion to heat source energy,” Mr Parker said.


Existing residents solar installations will be reviewed: potentially new sites sought; and exploration of battery systems linked to the local grid support. Potential commercial take up of locally generated community energy through power purchase agreements as a possible benefit for the community will be explored.

“Sedgeberrow with 360 plus households, all without mains gas, many reliant on high carbon Oil and LPG heating systems in poorly insulated houses, will benefit significantly from such a wide ranking analysis, said founding SeSaME member Richard Hunt.

SeSaME was launched ten years ago, aiming to open up a treasure trove of renewable energy, informing, encouraging and supporting a sustainable village community.

Their achievements were recognised in 2016 when SeSaME was declared the overall winner of the Wychavon Intelligently Green Awards. Visit www.sesame.me.uk for more.

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