The Sheringham Shoal Offshore Wind Farm, operated by Equinor, established its Community Fund in 2010. Two of its objectives include assisting community sustainability and contributing to climate change reduction, and its recent grant awards will help five North Norfolk community organisations to future proof their roles in rural life.
In North Norfolk’s small and often isolated villages, village halls, scout huts and sports pavilions are community lifelines. Hosting everything from toddler groups to warm spaces, their survival depends on keeping running costs low. By installing solar panels, battery storage, heat pumps and LED lighting, these venues are not only cutting emissions, they are securing their future.
Grants to Barney and Fulmodeston Playing Field Association, Corpusty and Saxthorpe Village Hall and Hanworth with Gunton Memorial Hall will support the installation of renewable energy systems including solar panels and battery storage. The Scout Hut used by 1st Mundesley (Air) Scout Group and other community groups in Mundesley is also being supported in installing a new air source heat pump.
Also, in North Walsham, over 500 players and officials are set to benefit from a grant which has enabled its football club to convert all the lighting around the football pitch areas to LED lights. The installation of these 14 LED lamps is projected to reduce annual carbon emissions by the equivalent of over 11,400 kg of CO2, producing a predicted cost saving of around £5,000 per annum. hanking the Sheringham Shoal Community Fund for its support, Paul Grothier, Chairperson at North Walsham Town FC, said:
“The new floodlights represent far more than just an upgrade to our facilities – they’re a symbol of progress, teamwork and a belief in the future of our club.”
Commenting on these recent awards, Sophie Skipp, Equinor’s Norfolk Stakeholder Manager, said:
“Not only do these Sheringham Shoal Community Fund grants assist these organisations in lowering their emissions, they make an important contribution to keeping these community facilities fit for the future.”
The Sheringham Shoal Community Fund, which is administered by the Norfolk Community Foundation (www.norfolkfoundation.co) has awarded grants of over £1.36 million since its establishment in 2010. The Community Fund currently receives a donation of £150,000 per annum from the Sheringham Shoal Offshore Wind Farm to support community projects.