Islington turns back the clock to offer cheaper energy to residents

Islington Council first began providing power to its residents over a hundred years ago when it opened its own coal-powered station in Holloway in 1896 – and now the borough is at it again with the announcement of a new council-owned energy centre to provide cheaper and cleaner heating to residents.

The old coal station may have been shut down in 1969, but the new Bunhill energy centre on Central Street is set to pick up the mantle, providing hot water to over 700 homes at a time when privately-owned energy networks are continually raising their prices.

The centre will recycle the heat that is usually lost from electricity production and use it to warm homes and other buildings in the borough, therefore cutting down on energy wastage while at the same time helping to lower fuel costs for Islington residents.

The council's executive member of environment, Paul Smith, has insisted that the local authorities are "on the side of residents", and suggests that this type of privately-owned energy network should represent the future of energy distribution in the borough and beyond.

In fact, while this operation may be amongst the first of its kind in London, it has already been adopted in a number of other major cities across the world, including Paris, Berlin and New York.

With the current state of energy prices in the UK, Smith has acknowledged that many people are finding it hard to pay their bills, and this news is likely to be well received by local residents who are now set to benefit from lower living costs.

Outsiders who may currently be struggling with their rent and bills might also wish to consider moving to the area, in the knowledge that their fuel consumption will not only be cheaper, but greener as well.

The Stafford Cripps. Redbrick and St. Luike's estates are amongst those set to benefit from the Bunhill energy centre, while the Ironmonger Row Baths and Finsbury Leisure Centre will also receive cheaper heating.

Posted by Chris Price

Published 30th November, 2012

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