Schools education programme
In 2003, npower renewables teamed up with energy education experts CREATE
to provide schools in Rhyl and Prestatyn with the opportunity to find out more about the
North Hoyle project and the wider environmental picture of which it forms a part.
Under this initiative, pupils from some 20 primary and secondary schools have been taking
part in workshops designed to help young people understand the impact of climate change,
and the contribution renewable energy generation and energy efficiency can make in combating it.
At the schools workshops, the children have been learning how they can ‘do their bit’ to help
secure a sustainable future by being energy efficient both at home and in their school.
Sandy Carter from CREATE says "this schools project has been well received
by both pupils and teachers. For the young people, as "our adults of
tomorrow", they have been involved in discussing real life issues which
directly affect them and their next generation. For the teachers, they have
found that the three themes of climate change, energy efficiency and
renewable energy have helped them meet some of the National Curriculum
criteria in subjects such as Science, Geography, Citizenship and Education
for Sustainable Development".
Schools drawing competition
Pupils at junior schools in Rhyl and Prestatyn were invited to take part in an art
competition run by npower renewables to have one of the thirty wind turbines at the
North Hoyle Offshore Wind Farm named after them.
Children were invited to draw or paint a picture of the new offshore wind farm and
to write a short piece about what they thought of this new way of creating clean, green electricity.
The winning
children were invited to a prize giving ceremony at Rhyl Town Hall with their teachers
and families. Each winner received a certificate showing the location of the wind turbine
that has been named after them, as well as a model turbine and a goody bag.
Community fund
npower renewables has set up the North Hoyle Offshore Wind Farm Community Fund in partnership with Denbighshire County Council and the Area Partnerships for Rhyl and Prestatyn & Meliden. The Community Fund, set up as part of the North Hoyle project, is ploughing £60,000 (index-linked) into the communities of Rhyl and Prestatyn & Meliden every year for the 20 year life of the wind farm. The two Area Partnerships are responsible for administering the fund and will each receive a yearly payment from the wind farm of £30,000 to allocate grants to local community projects.
Grants from the fund so far have been made to groups as diverse as the Alzheimer Society, the Young Firefighters Association, a Foster Carers Association, a disability resource centre and a high school environment club, and have helped to support such projects as community centre refurbishments, a play/recreation area, the provision of sports equipment and the establishment of an eco-garden.
Information about this year's successful applicants to receive funding from the North Hoyle Offshore Community Fund can be found on Denbighshire County Council's web site at www.denbighshire.gov.uk. The next distribution of the Fund will be early next year and interested organisations are encouraged to look out for announcements in the local press etc. Anyone wishing to find out more about how to apply for a grant from the fund should contact the Strategic Policy Unit at Denbighshire County Council on 01824 70 6146 or 01824 70 6063
Sponsorships
Prior to the establishment of the community fund, npower renewables has supported a number
of projects and events local to North Hoyle during the construction of the wind farm, including:
- Christmas lights in Prestatyn and Rhyl
- Christmas hampers for the elderly in Rhyl in partnership with “Voice of the Community”
- Rhyl Football Club
- Rhyl fireworks night event
Local Community
