First community solar project in Barnet completed at Burnt Oak Leisure Centre First community solar project in Barnet completed at Burnt Oak Leisure Centre
A new community solar project has been completed at Burnt Oak Leisure Centre, the first community solar installation on a Barnet Council-owned property.
The Burnt Oak Leisure Centre location was chosen for its large roof size and the building’s high energy usage. Community Energy Barnet has installed 220 rooftop panels providing clean, low-carbon and lower-cost energy. More than 70% of the solar power generated is expected to be used by the leisure centre, with the rest being exported to the grid.
The site will continue to draw some of its energy from the national grid, but the 101.2kWp installation is expected to save around £36,000 in energy costs and 241 tonnes of carbon over its estimated 20-year project lifetime. The installation costs have been met by grant funding and a community share offer, which will open next spring.
Cllr Schneiderman, Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change, said:
“We are determined to make Barnet a Net Zero borough by 2042. The Burnt Oak Leisure Centre solar installation is a fantastic example of what can be achieved when the council, community organisations and local partners work together towards our aim.
“The solar panels will reduce the leisure centre’s carbon emissions and energy costs. Through securing grant funding, we have achieved this at no cost to Barnet’s residents.”
The project has been delivered through a partnership between Community Energy Barnet, Barnet Council, GLL, Repowering London and Carbon3.
Barnet Council supported the project with a £15,000 grant through its Community Energy Fund, alongside £24,500 from the GLA’s London Community Energy Fund and £5,000 from the Energy Industry Voluntary Redress Scheme.
Burnt Oak Leisure Centre is operated by charitable social enterprise GLL in partnership with Barnet Council.
Jeremy Gould, National Sustainability Manager at GLL, said:
“Leisure centres are energy-intensive buildings, so finding practical ways to reduce carbon emissions and energy costs is a real priority for us. Burnt Oak shows what can be achieved when councils, leisure operators and community energy organisations work together – generating clean electricity while creating wider benefits for the community.”
Community Energy Barnet is a community benefit society led by volunteer Barnet residents. The community energy model means that surplus income from the project can be reinvested locally, with an estimated £8,800 expected to be ringfenced for a future Community Benefit Fund over its lifetime.
Syed Ahmed, CEO of Community Energy London and Community Energy Barnet volunteer, said:
“Barnet has huge potential for community solar projects, delivering local power with environmental and economic benefits. Community Energy Barnet has made great progress over the past year, strongly supported by Barnet Council, and we’re excited to be developing a pipeline of future projects.”
A Community Share Offer is planned for next year, to give Barnet residents the opportunity to invest in clean energy and have an active stake in locally generated renewable energy. Subject to the final model and offer, residents can invest in the project while supporting the development of further community-owned renewable energy across the borough.
Community Energy Barnet is also developing a pipeline of potential future solar projects across Barnet, with the ambition of increasing community-owned renewable energy generation across the borough.
Afsheen Kabir Rashid, CEO, Repowering London, said:
“Repowering London is delighted to have supported Community Energy Barnet in bringing this project from development to delivery. We provided technical, financial and legal support to help develop a viable model, while our Repowering Finance pathway enabled the solar installation to go ahead and provided the finance needed to de-risk the project before it transfers into community ownership.
“Now, through the community share offer, local people can take ownership of the solar asset and benefit from the clean energy it generates. It’s a great example of how patient, community-focused finance can unlock investment, give communities greater control over their energy and create a win-win for everyone.”
A joint day of action by Barnet Council and the Metropolitan Police Service A joint day of action by Barnet Council and the Metropolitan Police Service
Barnet Council owns Burnt Oak Leisure Centre, which is operated by charitable social enterprise GLL76,728kWh estimated annual generation (P90)Around £1,800 estimated annual energy savingCommunity Energy Barnet was established as a Community Benefit Society in December 2024. Led by local volunteers, its mission is to develop fair, low-carbon and community-driven energy infrastructure across Barnet. They are one of 10 community energy co-operatives currently supported by Repowering London. Learn more: www.communityenergybarnet.orgExternal linkRepowering London is a not-for-profit community energy development organisation that has been empowering communities to fund, install and manage their own clean, local energy for more than a decade, building on its deep relationships with London’s communities and strong partnerships with local councils. Learn more: www.repowering.org.uk/External linkGLL is a UK charitable social enterprise providing leisure and culture services under the Better brand. Burnt Oak Leisure Centre is operated by GLL on behalf of Barnet Council. GLL will purchase the electricity generated by the rooftop solar panels once the project is operational.Financial and carbon savings are forecasts and are dependent on energy prices. Carbon estimates are based on the project lifetime and relevant GHG Conversion Factors for the year of installation.