One of Wiltshire’s’ largest not-for-profit energy enterprises, Wiltshire Wildlife Community Energy Limited, has appointed a new Chairperson to run the Solar energy business with a remit to grow and develop the organisation.
Julian Barlow, who lives in Compton Bassett, takes up the role this month. Julian is also a Trustee of the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust and a local Parish Councillor and has a background in Marketing as well as having worked as a commentator on the built environment for over 30 years. He has been brought in to Chair WWCE with the aim of not only increasing the wildlife and diversity around the solar farms but also launching a new carbon reduction initiative aimed at working with home owners in Wiltshire, helping them to improve home insulation, gain access to government grants and spend less on energy.
The not for profit community benefit society currently owns two Solar Farms based at Chelworth and Braydon Manor near Swindon, supporting the energy requirements for over 2000 homes as well as developing habitats for Bees, Owls, flora and fauna as well as other wildlife. They work closely with the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust which helped set up WWCE
“It is a great privilege to be appointed” said Julian, “We began operating in 2013 and are now in a position to want to increase our positive impact in the county as well as start some new initiatives that help Wiltshire meet ambitious targets to reduce its Carbon Footprint to Zero by 2030.”
WWCE aims to launch a new scheme later this year called “Less energy, more heat, smaller bills” that will help people gain a free energy check on their homes and assist them in accessing government grants to insulate their homes and save money on energy bills.
This will not be the first charity scheme run by the non-for-profit energy business. In an effort to support the green agenda The Community Fund operated by WWCE has distributed over £45,000 to organisations and individuals throughout the County in the past few years. From newt ponds in primary Schools to solar panels on Wildlife sites the breadth and range of projects has been exciting.
Also joining the board of the WWCE for the first time are two new Directors. Lucy Normington, who lives in Purton, and is a project impact evaluator for Innovate UK, a government funding body that is based in Swindon as well as Russell Abbott, who has experience of working in bio diversity and is a lecturer at Anglia Ruskin University.
“It is great to welcome the new Directors to our board.” Said Julian, ”It is an exciting time for the enterprise, as well as helping wildlife we can harness the sun to create energy which as well as proving heat and light ca help the people of Wiltshire save money on their heating bills.”
