How 2010 can be a far greener year

Jan 5 2010 by Amy Hunt, The Journal

Mr Richardson said: “In three days we can’t turn you into a renewable energy expert, but we can help you understand what the possibilities are and the steps that have to be taken to set up a renewable energy system.”

Previous courses run by CoRE using cash from the Big Lottery’s Awards for All Fund have proved popular, but this is the last in the series. It will be held in Newcastle on Fridays on February 12, February 26 and March 5.

Since it was set up CoRE has embarked on some major projects.

In Berwick, along with Berwick Community Trust, the organisation plans to put up an 850kWh wind turbine which will generate over £4m profit over its lifetime.

In Teesdale it is working with the Teesdale Village Hall Consortium to reduce the energy consumption of its 33 member village halls and develop renewable energy systems to power communities they are based in. CoRE also formed the first community owned energy supply company in the UK in Middleton in Teesdale, which is working on a district wood heating system to supply heat to 80 houses and a school.

CoRE is run as a social enterprise, meaning any money it makes setting up renewable energy systems is used by the community to fund local activities and by CoRE to help more communities.

CoRE is a national pilot programme funded by One North East which, along with Berwick Community Trust and other partners has received a grant of £200,000 from the Department of Energy and Climate Change to install solar panels to generate electricity on 50 households in Berwick.

For details about the course contact Val Tobiass on val@core.coop or 01289 309669 or go to www.corecoop.net