Manor Drive School in Peterborough to be given solar power boost
A Peterborough school is being given a major boost to help its finances – with solar panels set to be fitted as part of a Government scheme.
The Labour government has announced details of the 250 schools across the country which are set to benefit from Great British Energy’s expanded scheme, with both Manor Drive Primary and Secondary Academy’s in line for clean power funding to cut energy bills.
The programme – which is the first major project for the Labour Government’s publicly- owned energy company - will mean less money wasted on energy bills and more resources going back into frontline services.
The Four C’s Academy Trust, which runs the school, said: “The Four Cs Academy Trust is extremely pleased that both of its Manor Drive Academies (Secondary and Primary) in Peterborough have been selected by the DfE for this initiative to pursue solar panels. This work will sit nicely with the Trust's agenda to increase sustainability and will likely help to reduce energy bills in the future, thus freeing up funds for educational resources. We are very pleased to be working with the DfE in this respect.”
Peterborough MP Andrew Pakes was part of the Bill Committee in Parliament that helped scrutinize Great British Energy including its commitment to community energy and rooftop projects in schools. It’s estimated that the scheme could save schools thousands on their energy bills over their lifetime, showing the difference that clean power can make towards energy security for local communities.
Commenting, Mr Pakes said: “This fantastic investment by Great British Energy at the Manor Drive schools will mean less money spent on energy bills, and more resources being directed into the thing that really matters - frontline resources. It will help cut bills and educate students on the importance of clean energy.
"Through Great British Energy, Labour is delivering energy security, investing in our public services and delivering lower bills for our communities.”
Energy Minister Michael Shanks said: “Great British Energy is helping schools to save money on bills, meaning more money for textbooks and technology.
“Across the country, solar panels are going up on rooftops to power classrooms with clean, homegrown power.
“This is our clean energy superpower mission in action, protecting our public services with lower bills and energy security.”
Great British Energy’s CEO, Dan McGrail said: “Great British Energy’s ongoing solar rollout delivers tangible benefits to the people that need it most in our hospitals and schools.
“This not only provides clean energy to communities, it also ensures that the public own and benefit from these projects through energy security, good jobs and above all, real tangible local outcomes such as more funds to support teaching and health.”
Education Minister Josh MacAlister said: “Solar panels are slashing schools’ energy bills by thousands of pounds year after year, with the money going straight back into the textbooks and resources pupils need to succeed. “This is part of our wider work to drive national renewal, rebuilding more than 750 schools in every corner of the country.”