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.