The Meadows Ozone Community Energy Company, Nottingham

Interest-free loans for green improvements

Meadows Ozone is a community-owned energy services company based in the Meadows area of Nottingham. By providing local people with advice on energy efficiency and interest-free green loans, the initiative aims to combat fuel poverty at the same time as reducing carbon emissions. Many local people have already benefited from its free energy audits and access to free or discounted loft and cavity wall insulation.

Meadows Ozone is based at the offices of local regeneration organisation the Meadows Partnership Trust. Ian Nicholson, Energy Advisor at Meadows Ozone, says, "We spend a lot of time visiting houses and talking to people about how Meadows Ozone can help them, but it really helps to have a base right in the heart of the community too. Meadows Partnership Trust is well-respected within the community and has strong links with residents' groups - working with an establish partner has been a great help in establishing ourselves in the community."

Green loans

The Meadows is an area of high deprivation, with many local people affected by debt and fuel poverty. To help tackle these issues, Meadows Ozone has developed an interest-free green loans scheme in partnership with a local credit union. The loans help homeowners and tenants to purchase energy-efficient appliances or make energy-saving improvements to their homes.

"Local residents have used green loans to install double glazing, solar panels and cavity wall insulation and to upgrade their home appliances to 'A' rated equipment," says Ian. "We're also working with a resident who's applied for a loan to install a wind turbine on their property."

Developing green champions

Meadows Ozone is developing a network of 'green champions' to raise awareness of the project throughout the community. The Meadows Ozone team recognises that if the project is to be successful in addressing local needs, members of the community need to play an active role in developing and delivering its work.

Each of the green champions has completed a day's training in energy efficiency and behaviour change, delivered free of charge by National Energy Action. The Meadows Ozone team is keen to support local people in developing green skills and finding work in the green sector.

"Our green champions are all active members of the community and do a fantastic job of talking about the project at local events and activities," comments Ian. "Having local ambassadors shows other people in the community that this is a genuinely local initiative and helps to break down the barriers that are sometimes experienced by organisations coming from outside the area."

An update on the project and how it’s developed since launching can be read here.