27 November 2008 17:44
E.ON SOURCE grant brings big energy savings for Somerset charity project

Thanks to E.ON's SOURCE community fund, the Magdalen Project in Chard, has cut its power bills and carbon emissions.

After receiving £20,000 towards the cost of a biomass boiler to heat the community centre, the system is already estimated to have saving the charity as much as 70% off of its annual fuel bill, as well as displacing around 56 tonnes of carbon from being emitted every year.

Magdalen Project Director Gyles Morris said: "We're absolutely delighted with the boiler which is making a huge difference to our overall aim of total energy sustainability.

"Not only has the new system provided us with an additional environmental educational tool, it's also saving us an astounding amount in fuel costs too, which means that extra funds can be channelled into our other environmental projects."

The Magdalen Project, situated in Chard, Somerset, is a haven for sustainable living and environmental conservation and welcomes thousands of visitors of all ages each year who come to learn and be inspired by the natural environment.

Tony Jenkin-Jones, Community Relations Executive at E.ON, said:

 "The Magdalen project is completely dedicated to sustainable living and we're delighted that we could contribute to the new boiler system and help them to move another step closer to their goal of total energy sustainability.

"With the new system not only are they reducing their impact on the environment, they're also saving cash in fuel costs too, which is a definite win-win for everyone."

E.ON launched its SOURCE fund in 2007 to help with the costs of sustainable energy projects for community buildings.

The fund is backed up by the SOURCE website, which provides information and advice for community groups seeking to become more energy efficient or generate their energy from sustainable sources.

The website, which contains full details of how to apply for a grant, can be accessed at www.eon-uk.com/source.

Ends

Notes to editors:

• E.ON is one of the UK's leading power and gas companies - generating and distributing electricity, and retailing power and gas - and is part of the E.ON group, the world's largest investor-owned power and gas company. We employ around 17,000 people in the UK;
• We're one of the leading green generators in the UK, with 21 wind farms located from Cornwall to Northern Ireland. We also burn biomass material mixed with coal in two of our power stations and have recently completed one of the UK's largest dedicated biomass power stations at Lockerbie. Combined, our renewable portfolio generates enough green energy to power the homes in a city the size of Manchester;
• We are investing £50 million in new technologies and approaches over the next 10 years, through the Energy Technologies Institute;
• Our green development portfolio could power over a million homes and displace the emission of almost two million tonnes of carbon dioxide a year by building new onshore and offshore wind farms, biomass power stations, and tidal stream and wave power schemes;

For more information, photos and/or to arrange an interview, contact:

Rebecca Bieniaszewska on 024 7618 3202