A MUSSELBURGH-BASED sustainable energy company, which is working on a community-owned solar and battery energy project in Portobello, could expand the initiative into the Honest Toun.
Gensource has been commissioned by Portobello community organisation Porty Community Energy to deliver a technical feasibility and system design for six sites for community-owned renewable energy systems across Portobello and the surrounding area.
The “ground-breaking” project, also including Edinburgh-based social enterprise EALA Impacts, has been made possible by funding from Local Energy Scotland to install solar and battery systems on local community buildings. The feasibility and design process will be completed early next year.
Some of the initial sites being evaluated include Portobello Town Hall, Portobello Baptist Church, Brunstane Bowling Club, Tribe Porty, Bellfield and Lothian Dance Academy, with the project potentially expanding into Musselburgh as community groups there have expressed interest.
The work is focused on delivering rooftop solar, considering battery storage and the impact of other changes in energy consumption such as additional electric vehicle (EV) charging or low-carbon heating.
As well as delivering on sustainability, the project is also said to have a “major cost-saving element” for all the sites.
Porty Community Energy will be able to sell electricity generated from the systems at a price that is below that of energy bought from the other energy suppliers.
Gensource, as lead partner and sustainable energy specialist, will manage the overall project and identify and appraise the community buildings.
Josh King, Gensource managing director, said: “We are grateful to Local Energy Scotland for supporting such an impactful project for the area. Likewise, we are delighted to have the opportunity to work alongside Porty Community Energy and EALA Impacts, engaging with the whole area on energy.”
Robert Wilson, Gensource commercial & operations director, added: “We are also considering looking at independent businesses that have the right energy profile, to improve the business case for the project to progress to installation.”
The ultimate aim of the project is to develop a technically and commercially viable option for community investment in renewable energy projects.
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