26.02.10 British Gas launches new energy challenge

Fourteen communities across the UK have started to compete in a contest where they will each attempt to become the greenest community in Britain over the course of the year. The 14 finalists were selected from 100 applicants and the race is now on to see who can set the standard.

It is called the Green Streets challenge, and it was launched by British Gas. The energy provider wants to see which community can save the most energy and reduce carbon emissions through generating its own electricity. The winning community will be given over £100,000 for environmental investment in a local project.

The challenge was launched on a slightly smaller scale in 2008 with eight streets competing. In the end it was a street in Leeds that won through managing to cut its energy use by an impressive 35%.

British Gas is to help the communities by providing microgeneration and energy efficiency measures worth in the region of £2 million. Energy options for the communities will involve solar and wind power, as well as a micro hydro scheme, a heat pump, biomass systems and better insulation.

Engineers from British Gas will then assess the energy efficiency to rule on the winning project. The project will provide the company with insight into how it can develop the most efficient small-scale energy generation systems across the country.

Celebrity Ben Fogle is backing the scheme and said that there is a “groundswell of communities wanting to learn how to save money and go green by developing plans around saving and generating energy locally.” He added that the scheme will help to create a blueprint for a more sustainable Britain in the future.

« Go Back to Main Blog