A greener future for North Lincs: local cooperative who cuts schools’ energy bills now seeking new members

(PRESS RELEASE) 6th December 2024

After a successful first two years, North Lincolnshire Community Energy (NLCE) have launched a new Share Offer to install solar panels on school, community and public buildings in Scunthorpe and the surrounding area.

Members of the community can invest from as little as £50 to have a stake in the cooperative, with an expected return of 5%. NLCE are looking to raise £700,000 through the Share Offer, which will see the schools and host sites offered a cheaper rate for electricity.

Between January 2023 and September 2024, NLCE solar panels generated more than 1,400 MWh of clean electricity and saved schools over £190,000 in costs.

NLCE aim to decarbonise the electricity used by local educational and community buildings, reduce their cost of electricity and exposure to price volatility, and incentivise the transition to clean, zero-carbon renewable energy.

They have been supported by North Lincolnshire Council, who helped to find suitable solar sites and got the first projects off the ground with a grant of £1,400,000 from the Towns Fund. NLCE is helping to fulfil North Lincolnshire’s pledge to become carbon neutral by 2030.

One of NLCE’s bigger solar sites is the Attis Arena (Glanford Park), home to Scunthorpe United Football Club. The New Show Ground CIC, the non-profit community organisation who own the stadium, said: “North Lincs Community Energy, Energy4All and the team at North Lincolnshire Council were fantastic throughout the entire process, from initial concept, planning, installation, to the after-support received.  

We are hoping that with the solar panels, the club will see up to 65% reduction in their electricity costs, which is great news as we try and become self-sustainable. The club is 100% committed to the town and if our goals for sustainability and efficiency can benefit others, we are 100% committed to that also”.

To join the community and apply for shares, please visit this page or click ‘Share Offer’ in the navigation. The administration of the share offer is being supported by Energy4All Limited and you will be redirected to their website to apply for shares. Please make sure you have read the Share Offer document fully. The Share Offer will close in February 2024, unless oversubscribed or extended.