Agenda item

Report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services.

The Sub Committee considered a report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services, which updated Members on progress and sought approval to proceed with the installation of community-owned solar panels on the Middlesex Street Estate in August 2021. Members noted that the project would be the City of London Corporation’s first community-owned solar power station. 

In response to questions, the following points were noted:

a)      The saving represented a 5% reduction on the unit price of electricity purchased by the City of London Corporation for the Middlesex St Estate.

b)      The figure of £6,000 was based on today’s purchase prices plus inflation.  The supply would benefit community supply and not residential usage. 

c)       Electricity charges were likely to rise the next 20 years.  Repower is a not-for-profit community organisation, working with the City of London Corporation, and hence the pricing cap.  Although electricity prices tended not to drop, the price floor would be helpful on the co-op side, to ensure it remained financially viable.

d)      Whilst there was a consensus of support for the project, a couple of views were  expressed in that the pros and cons and financial analysis could be articulated better.  However, it was noted that the savings estimate was a minimum and it was expected to be higher.  There would also be a full financial disclosure, as part of the share offer, and Repower offered to share this with Members on request. 

e)      Repower had been working with the City of London’s Energy Team in respect of future projects.  There had been a lot of engagement pre the pandemic, which would continue as lockdown eased, and the co-ops would also encourage behaviour change.  

f)        Repower have been teaching young people about solar energy,  running apprenticeships and holding workshops to help residents save on energy bills. 

g)      All insurance aspects had been explored with the Chamberlain’s Insurance Team and there would be no impact on other masts or community spaces. 

h)      The Grand Committee would need to approve the Power Purchase Agreement and Licence, and the next iteration of the report would seek to address the queries raised at today’s meeting.    

i)        It was anticipated that the panels would be installed on the roofs by August 2021, and the community share offer would be launched in the Spring of 2022.

  In concluding, the Chairman thanked  Common Councillor Jason Pritchard, for his tenacity in this project over the past 3-4 years, and the officers for their support. 

RESOLVED, that – the installation of community-owned solar panels on the Middlesex Street Estate by Aldgate Solar Power (ASP) in August 2021 be approved. NB. the Licence and PPA would need to be agreed by the Grand Committee.