Summary

The Doddington and Rollo Community Association (DRCA) is located in an old underground car park beneath a large housing estate in Battersea. Because it requires continuous artificial lighting of communal areas, workshop units and studios, it was suffering from very high electricity bills.

In 2017, Community Renewable Energy Wandsworth (CREW) Energy worked with the DRCA to replace all of its lighting with 550 highly efficient LED bulbs, controlled by motion sensors. Over the first two years, they have saved £530 per month or 18% on their energy bills.

The project was the first example of a community energy saving project in London using an energy services agreement. CREW Energy handled all aspects of the project for the DRCA. They performed the technical assessment, raised the funds, managed the installation and oversaw the preparation of contracts.

Locality: London

Asset Owner: Doddington and Rollo Community Association

CEG: Community Renewable Energy Wandsworth (CREW) Energy

Money saved: £530 per month, or 18% on their energy bills.

Tech Used: Motion-controlled LED lighting

“DRCA is making significant savings from the energy bills as well as from the cost of
spares/replacement parts. We also believe we are enjoying a better quality of lighting”

-Justin Kello, Office Manager, DRCA

Benefits to Asset Owner

  • Benefit 1: Significant reduction in energy bills with no upfront costs to owner
  • Benefit 2: Reduced need for / cost of spares and replacement parts
  • Benefit 3: Visible contribution to a community fund tackling fuel poverty

Benefits to Community Energy Group

  • Benefit 1: Reduction in carbon emissions
  • Benefit 2: Contribution to a community fund tackling fuel poverty, including energy advice cafes
  • Benefit 3: Funded training for an Energy Champions course with members of the DRCA

How it was Funded

The project was funded through an Energy Services Agreement at no up front cost to the DRCA. CREW Energy worked with Pure Leapfrog to raise the capital for the project, securing a 0% loan via the British Airways Carbon Fund that will be paid back over ten years using a portion of the money saved each month. Another portion of the money saved will go into a community fund to be spent on social and environmental initiatives in Wandsworth.

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