WHILE Power prices rocket, one Bristol leisure centre is bucking the cost of living crisis. Easton Leisure Centre has announced a 100 per cent reduction in the heating costs of its community swimming pool thanks to its solar panels.
A pilot project set up by Bristol City Council and Everyone Active saw 800 solar thermal tubes installed on the roof in May by city firm Solarsense, with the aim of saving nearly 13 tonnes of CO2 from entering the atmosphere every year.
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The solar heating could ultimately help in saving up to 60% of energy used to heat water and up to 35% of energy for space heating.
City council’s cabinet member for climate, ecology, waste and energy Kye Dudd said: “It’s exciting to see such a vital and visible part of the community as Easton Leisure centre taking action to reduce their emissions and supporting Bristol’s climate ambitions.”
Everyone Active contract manager Gary Teagle added: “The decision to utilise these forms of renewable energy will play a big part in combating climate change locally. We’re delighted Easton Leisure Centre has been selected to trial the new technology and looking forward to reviewing its impact, with the aim to replicate it at our other sites across the Bristol area.”
Alongside the initiative to keep swimming pools open to the public and push for sustainability locally, plans to make drastic changes have been initiated 10 years prior as Bristol City Council has already invested £6.75million into renewable energy.
The plans include the installation of solar PV systems at three other leisure centres - Horfield Leisure Centre, Kingsdown Sports Centre and St Pauls Community Sports Academy.
Solarsense CEO Stephen Barrett said: “This technology, we know, has the ability to make an ongoing and very powerful difference - cutting energy bills in even the darkest winter months when the solar supply can simply be topped up with gas. It has the potential to pay for itself multiple times over the course of its life and we’re thrilled Easton Leisure Centre, based in the heart of this busy community, will be the ones to showcase that.”
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