Cut off by the tide, not by electricity

A remote rural community receives a boost in energy resilience and efficiency.

Holy Island Village Hall is located on the picturesque Holy Island, a highlight of the Northumberland coast.

The hall serves as a vital meeting place for the local community. A dedicated team of local volunteers has been working to enhance the building's green credentials by increasing the use of renewable energy. New storage batteries also help with improved resilience during winter storms.

The volunteers, as part of the strategic initiative, Holy Island 2050, wanted to reduce the hall's carbon footprint. They became aware of the grant funding available for energy resilience projects in the North East, Yorkshire, and northern Lincolnshire through the Northern Powergrid Foundation. While Holy Island does not get receive its electricity from Northern Powergrid, it falls within their geographical area, prompting the trustees to empower communities in operational areas.

Northern Powergrid Foundation, the charitable arm of Northern Powergrid, is committed to supporting innovative organisations and community projects that address energy-related challenges, including fuel poverty, energy resilience, and the transition to net zero.

Max Whitby, a volunteer at Holy Island Village Hall, expressed enthusiasm about the new technology, which is already reducing energy bills and will support this isolated community for years to come.

"We are determined to move towards net zero, and this project will not only supports that goal but also gives protection to our isolated community during emergencies. The grant from the Foundation has not only made a real difference for the Village Hall but also sparked community engagement with renewable technologies."

Holy Island Village Hall received £10,007.51 to fund solar panels and battery storage for the residents of Holy Island, Northumberland.

The panels and battery storage will provide the hall with energy resilience, allowing it to continue serving the local residents in times of power interruptions, as well as reducing the hall's regular outgoings, so that funds saved can be reinvested elsewhere.

Today trustees from Northern Powergrid Foundation celebrate their ability to support those in need and ensure communities are prepared for the winters ahead.

Joe Docherty, Northern Powergrid Foundation Chair of Trustees, said "Providing funds to sites like Holy Island Village Hall is at the heart of our mission. It's rewarding to see our funds empower communities today and for the future."

The Foundation will reopen to grant applications in 2025.

Visit northernpowergridfoundation.com for more information, which includes Frequently Asked

Questions (FAQs), eligibility criteria, grant making policy and instructions to start your application.

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