Since our finance raise last summer SE24 have been busy – we raised nearly £400k to complete three solar projects and three LED projects.
The first to complete was the LED project at the South London Mission’s Bermondsey Central Hall. This was paid for mostly by SE24 investors from the share offer last summer but kick started by a £4k grant from the Southwark Community Energy Fund.
The project expanded from originally planned and we finally installed 227 light fittings throughout the site including the Methodist Church and its community buildings, plus their social housing unit (around 30 flats). The church buildings are well used by a range of community users including disadvantaged members of the local community.
Because of the increase in project scope our estimated energy savings increased to £20,000 and CO2 savings to 25 tonnes over the 10-year life of the 10-year lighting services agreement. This highlights how much the community benefits from a Southwark grant of less than £4k!
This and previous LED projects is providing a knowledge base for delivering a pipeline of up to 10 further projects in 2025-26. The Facilities Manager at Bermondsey Central Hall is also responsible for the premises of the Deptford Mission. With his support, our partners South East London Community Energy (SELCE) have completed a parallel LED installation project in Deptford. One of the South London Mission administrators has recently joined the Board of SE1 Solar.
The appetite for community energy in Southwark is clearly growing.
Robert Pearce, Director of Operations at the South London Mission and Bermondsey Central Hall commented
“Many attend Church buildings seeking a spiritual light to guide their path through life. However, this spiritual light was not complemented by the quality of the physical lighting at both Bermondsey and Deptford Methodist Missions!
This was generally poor, almost candle like in some parts, reflecting a style and age of the buildings’ past. The installation of LED fittings, co-ordinated by SE24 and SELCE, has now contributed to a more modern and inviting workspace, a more welcoming environment, together with economic and health & safety benefits, and so shining a brighter light on all the good things that both Missions deliver.”
Summary
- Start: Aug 2024
- End: Oct 2024
- Cost: £14,706 ex VAT.
- CO2 reduction: 25 tonnes (over the 10-year life of the project)
- Energy savings to the customer: £2,000 per year