North East Mayor, Kim McGuinness visited Hudson Road Primary this week, which is one of 23 schools across Sunderland and Northumberland that have been fitted with energy saving solar panels, funded through the Mayor’s Renewables Fund, powered by £700,000 from GB Energy.
The Head Teacher, Mrs Westgate, said the money they are saving on energy bills frees up cash to improve their pupils’ education.
Children at the school want to spend money saved on more arts and craft materials, opportunities for reading, and toys like hula hoops for playtime.
The programme, which is helping schools reduce energy costs, cut carbon emissions and reinvest savings into services that benefit pupils and their communities, is anticipated to save schools over £100,000 annually, with almost 85 tonnes of CO2 saved each year – that's the equivalent to swapping over 50 cars to electric.
The Sunderland primary school is already seeing the benefits, with solar panels now generating green, locally produced energy on site, cutting their energy bills by approximately £4,000 annually.
Mayor Kim said:
“It’s hard to argue against green energy when it means lower bills for schools which frees up cash to spend on improving teaching for children and if the pupils get their way, more toys at playtime! It also allows us to strengthen our national energy security by reducing our reliance on natural gas, one solar panel at a time.
“It was great to meet pupils from the school whose passion for green issues has been energised by the new solar panels. It is clearly helping young people see how green, locally-produced energy can power our future.
“I want to see more schemes like this across the region as we continue our mission to make the North East the home of the green energy revolution.”
The investment forms part of wider work to position the North East as a national leader in green energy, while ensuring local communities benefit directly through lower costs, better facilities and new opportunities.
Councillor Christopher Eynon, Leader of Sunderland City Council said:
“It was really good to meet with the young people today and hear about their experiences with the new solar panels that have been installed at their school. It’s great that the savings from this energy, which will now be generated on-site, will free up school resources that the Headteacher can invest more widely to support the school community here at Hudson Road.”
Mrs Cathy Westgate, Head teacher at Hudson Road Primary said:
“Hudson Road Primary was delighted to have been chosen to receive funding from the North East Mayor’s Renewable Energy Fund. The solar panels will reduce our energy costs by approximately £4,000 per year. This will enable the school to provide additional school trips and other activities for the children. The panels will be a valuable educational tool that will help the children make the school more resource efficient.”