Pilot scheme set up to lower schools' energy bills

A pilot scheme to help schools save money on their energy bills and improve energy efficiency has been launched by London Mayor Sadiq Khan.

The Greener Schools initiative permits London boroughs to apply for part of a £2m pot to help schools implement a range of interventions.

These include insulation, solar panels and heat pumps as well as climate engagement activities.

Boroughs can apply for up to £500,000, with a limit of £100,000 per school. The grants will be match funded by councils.

The mayor launched the Greener Schools pilot at Avondale Park Primary School in west London.

Headteacher Ben McMullen showed Khan the school's newly installed heat pump and said the installation had been a big project, but it could save the school about £6,000 to £7,000 per year.

Speaking at the school, Khan said: "Dozens and dozens of schools will be pilots to see if our target interventions can make a difference in relation to reducing carbon and, importantly, saving bills.

"We want to see which interventions work more effectively."

He said the government was very interested in the pilot and he hoped it would be rolled out nationally.

"These are examples of green policies saving money, which means rather than money being spent on paying utility bills they can be used on children," Khan added.

The initiative forms part of the mayor's ambition to make London net-zero carbon by 2030.

Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected]