The event marked the completion of a fresh solar energy install at Stratford Library, one of three such installations that CEN is now aiming to bring into public ownership. It was an opportunity for members of the public to learn more about the CEN share offer, which is aiming to raise £120,000. Attending the event were CEN Directors and volunteers, members of the Repowering London team, and representatives from Newham Council. The Mayor of Newham, Rokhsana Fiaz, also joined in, welcoming the CEN project and recognising the work of its team.
Voicing CEN’s Power
The event ended with remarks from a number of guest speakers, who shared their insights into the impact that community energy can have, and how important co-operatives like CEN are in the fight against fuel poverty, climate change and the cost-of-living crisis:
Director of Climate Action at the London Borough of Newham, Jacob Heitland –
“Two years ago when we kicked off this work CEN didn’t even exist… two years later we’ve got… a huge number of people engaged and [are] really getting people to understand how broken our energy system is… and how can we fight back in a way that means something to real people here in Newham.”
Olawale Ajibola, a Volunteer Director of Community Energy Newham:
“The reason I got involved in [CEN] is that I saw it as a way of creating a form of energy democracy… Having our own assets means we have better control of our future.”
Mayor of Newham Rokhsana Fiaz closed the proceedings with powerful words:
“Do not underestimate how significant this moment is for Newham. Do not underestimate how significant this moment is to our contribution to a national and global movement in response to the biggest crisis facing humanity. Do not underestimate what a small group of people can do to change the world.
Power in Investing
Stratford Library is one of three libraries in Newham that host solar panels installed for CEN with the support of Repowering London. With this first share offer, these panels will be brought into community ownership so that the clean energy benefits and any cost savings come to the local community. This is an ethical investment opportunity that offers investors a target 3% return, with any surplus profits from the sale of the electricity generated by the panels going towards local community initiatives.
As a CEN investor you:
- Become a member of the co-operative that creates a greener and fairer energy system
- Have a say in how it is run now and in the future, so more people in Newham can benefit from an empowered community
- Can access training, events and other opportunities
- Will participate in and benefit from the transition to a low carbon and resilient borough.
Want to invest or find out more?
Find full details about the CEN Share Offer and discover how you can invest by clicking the link below.
