GORDON HENDERSON MP

24th October 2018
Local MP visits solar farm to celebrate Green GB Week

Gordon Henderson, MP for Sittingbourne & Sheppey visited Orchard Community Energy’s solar farm near Iwade in his constituency to celebrate the contribution of community energy to clean economic growth and tackling climate change.

His visit took place in Green GB Week which ran from 15-19 October.

Mr Henderson was joined by Councillor David Simmons, Cabinet Member for the Environment and Rural Affairs, Swale BC and Councillor Roger Clarke, Iwade Parish Council.

Representatives of Sheppey Community Energy Trust, the other community energy group in Mr Henderson’s constituency, were also present.

They heard how the 5MW ground-mounted solar array was brought into community ownership in 2016 by a group of Kent-based community energy enthusiasts supported by local and national community investors who together raised over £2M in community shares and bonds.

Profits after the payment of costs and interest are distributed to local community organisations. The project’s first community grants supported Seashells Children’s Centre in Sheerness, Sheppey Scouts and Kent Wildlife Trust’s Oare Marshes Reserve. Applications for the second group of grants are open until 31st October with details available at www.orchard.coop.

The current output from the 5MW array is enough to meet the equivalent annual electricity demand of around 1,250 homes.

Orchard Community Energy has recently been nominated as a 2018 Kent Environment Champion for its commitment and innovation in creating a positive outcome for the environment, health and economy of Kent.

Sheppey Community Energy Trust described how it has established and encouraged the installation of more community energy projects on the Isle of Sheppey.