Oakdale Community Celebrates Solar Installation

Oakdale residents are celebrating the addition of several solar panels to their community centre, made possible by funding from the Oakdale Community Benefit Fund. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The panels will allow the community centre to reduce its energy bills whilst becoming more environmentally friendly. The installation of the panels was undertaken by Gwent Energy, a not for profit solar specialist company based in Chepstow. Gwent Energy specialise in helping community buildings and organisations install solar and biomass renewables, the company themselves take on the risk of the project allowing the community organisation to concentrate on delivering their services. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Oakdale community centre currently is home to over 20 classes and clubs for all members of the local community and is also available to hire for celebrations, meetings and training sessions. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The Oakdale Community Benefit Fund is administered by Partnerships for Renewables who operate two large scale wind turbines in the Oakdale area. The grant aims to encourage renewable energy use, helping communities save energy or generate energy for their own usage whilst enhancing the quality of life of people through social, cultural and recreational opportunities. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Cllr. Ken James, Cabinet Member for Member for Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Planning & Sustainable Development said: “It’s fantastic to see these new solar panels in place at Oakdale Community Centre. The funding from the Community Benefit Fund is making a real difference to local people. It’s perfectly fitting that a large scale environmental project is helping local groups to reduce their carbon footprint and make significant savings in their running costs, ensuring the centre is available for all to use.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​