This group was set up at the
request of Little Gransden Parish Council, and is associated with the
Sustainable Parish Energy Partnership (SPEP), which was set up by South
Cambridgeshire District Council. Its purpose is to spread information about
ways in which householders can save energy (and hence money), and to protect to
the environment.
Similar organisations have been
set up in many other parishes, including in Gamlingay, Coton, Girton, and the
Cambridge City based “Cambridge Carbon Footprint”. The latter have organised an
annual “Open Eco Homes” event, where you are able to look round houses that
have taken steps to greatly improve their energy efficiency, as inspiration to
what everyone else could do. The EcoHub in Gamlingay have organised a free
annual “Green Day” at which anyone can call in and talk to companies (supplying
insulation, solar & heating systems, efficient lighting, etc.), and
organisations such as the RSPB, and to learn about environmental and energy
saving issues.South Cambridgeshire District Council has purchased 3 infra-red cameras, which LGEG have borrowed for a week or so for the last 4 winters. This has enabled local householders to see where the heat losses are in their houses. These cameras are now available to any South Cambridgeshire householder by arrangement (and with training) from their Cambourne offices.
Cambridgeshire Energy Switch is a bulk purchase scheme for electricity supplies that has been organised by the Cambridge Councils.
SPEP have organised various talks about energy saving measures and experiences of the various parish groups in Cambridgeshire.
LGEG write an article about energy saving matters in the Roundabout magazine most months.
For further information, refer to the following websites:
- Sustainable Parish Energy Partnership
- Action Energy – providing information by the Cambridgeshire councils that advise on reducing energy use and cost
- Energy Saving Trust – independent non-profit organisation that offers impartial advice on methods of energy saving
- Renewable Heat Incentive
- USwitch – independent price comparison website for energy and broadband/telephone supply.
Posted on behalf of Trevor Brown
