Happy new year to all our supporters.  We’re hoping that 2015 will be the year of a strong shift away from fossil fuels and towards a low carbon energy system.  New Department of Energy and Climate Change statistics for Jul-Sep 2014 show renewables at 17.8% of the UK electricity mix, so we’re making progress.  Denmark is on 39% and Germany on 25% so we can do better.  Here at HKD Energy we’re playing our small part in helping make this shift.

Our 80kW solar system at Downlands School is on track for a February half-term installation.  The panels have been ordered, a deposit paid, and our investors are turning their pledges into reality by paying for their shares.  We’re looking forward to celebrating the completion of our very first project.

If you’re an investor you should have received an email from us around 18 December with your share allocation and request for payment.  We know a couple of people did not receive this email (perhaps it’s in your spam folder?), so if you didn’t receive it please get in touch with us ASAP so we can send again.  The deadline for payments is 14 January.

While wrapping up the final tasks on the Downlands School project, we are also in the planning stage of Project 2.  We are in discussion with Windmills Junior School, next door to Downlands, about installing solar panels on the roofs of their existing buildings.  This would be a smaller project, given the roof space available, but still would secure a long-term, low-carbon electricity supply for the school.  As plans develop we’ll have more details to share.

HKD Energy directors would love to hear your ideas of how to generate more of our villages’ energy needs locally from renewable sources, and how to reduce energy demand and keeping everyone warm and cosy with more energy efficient homes and businesses.  Do contact us with your ideas please.

HKD Transition is holding our annual ceilidh on Saturday 31 January, so do come and join us there if you can.  The wonderful Unreel Ceilidh Band will be playing and are guaranteed to get your feet tapping.  You don’t need to know the dances as the caller Penny Burton will talk everyone through the steps.  It’s at Ditchling Village Hall, 7.30-11.00, and a cash bar will feature locally brewed ale.  Tickets are on sale at Ditchling Post Office, or online with Paypal at hkdtransition.org.uk/buy-ceilidh-tickets/ .  Or just email us to secure your tickets.

Launch Event
We’re ready – are you?
The HKD Energy Downlands School Solar Project will launch on:
Saturday, 8^th November at Downlands School* from 2.30-4.00 pm.
At the launch event we’ll tell you all about the project and how it works, and the investment opportunity it presents, along with some of the reasons why we think it’s important. Our detailed Share Offer document will be available and includes the application form for shares.

Norman Baker MP will talk about the energy challenges we face as a country, and the government’s support for community energy.  Howards Johns, one of the founders of OVESCo and a national leader in community energy will talk about the vision and potential of community energy to change how the energy system works.

We’ve also been working with the Downlands Eco Club, a group of enthusiastic students who are ready to start the ‘solar revolution’.  We’ve organised a competition for Downlands students on this theme, with prize-winners to be announced at the launch event.

Downlands School solar facts

• The 266 solar panels will produce over 80,000 kilowatt hours each year – enough power to make 4 million cups of tea.
• Downlands School will save around £150,000 in electricity costs over the next 20 years, as a result of the cheaper electricity provided by the project.
• The school will not pay anything for the solar panels themselves.  Instead the project will be entirely funded by investors from the community.
• Investors can buy shares from a minimum of £250 to a maximum of £10,000.
• HKD Energy intends to pay interest on investments at approximately 4%, and plans to repay investments in full during the 20 year project.

Come and join us if you can at Downlands School on 8 November.  If you can’t make it to the launch the Share Offer and other investment documents will be on our website www.hkdenergy.org.uk/how-to-invest/.

We hope you will be able to join us!

*Downlands School – Dale Avenue, Hassocks, BN6 8LP

HKD Transition News
For news of the HKD Quiz and Pizza Night on 14^th November and other current topics, please check the HKD Transition website.  You can also opt to receive the newsletter each month – by signing up on www.hkdtransition.org.uk or by email to newsletter@hkdtransition.org.uk.

Chris Handel, Chair                 John Willis, Secretary
Juliet Merrifield, Treasurer       Darren Berman, Director
Bec Hanley, Director

HKD Energy  (www.hkdenergy.org.uk)
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