Selby Centre's Community Energy Lab Short-Listed For A National Award

Selby Trust’s Community Energy Lab has been shortlisted for a Community Energy England Award in the Community Energy Champion. The Community Energy Awards were first established by Energise London, and the inaugural awards made at a ceremony in Oxford in June 2014. The Community Energy Awards 2015 are administered by Community Energy England in association with Energise London and the Community Energy Coalition.

The Community Energy Lab is based at the Selby Centre in Tottenham and is managed by Selby Trust. The aim of the project is to reduce the CO2 emissions from existing buildings in Tottenham by retrofitting them. This is done by training local disadvantages local youth retrofitting techniques using a variety of insulation materials, some of which is waste insulation from construction sites diverted from landfill.

We are very excited to be shortlisted for this award and have the work of the Community Energy Lab and the volunteers recognised in this way. The project is part of our Green Hub which is focused on reducing waste, ensuring we train local people in green industry and reduce our carbon emissions.– Says Sona Mahtani – CEO of Selby Trust.

Cllr Joe Goldberg, Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Social Inclusion and Sustainability, said: “Congratulations to the Selby Trust on being shortlisted for this award. We’ve been proud to support the Community Energy Lab, which offers training opportunities to local young people, cuts carbon emissions from the borough’s buildings and is helping to cement Haringey’s place as a leader in green industry. We need everyone on board if we’re going to build a sustainable future, and I’m delighted that this locally-run, community-led project has been recognised in this way.”

By 2016/17, we hope to raise the resources to share learning about renewables with all ages, including children and young people, and are planning to run short courses such as making solar panels and phone chargers.