Explore Renewables provides rich rewards for the region’s schools

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Pupils at a North-East school are harnessing green energy and learning about its benefits thanks to Explore Renewables, an initiative launched earlier this year by One NorthEast, the New and Renewable Energy Centre (NaREC) and eaga.

So far, more than 100 schools across the region have signed up to take a hands-on approach to learning about low and zero carbon technologies.

Free to all publicly-funded middle and secondary schools in the region, Explore Renewables provides science teachers with a specially designed “Solar Thermal Trolley” for classroom demonstrations, key stage three curriculum support material and access to an interactive website.

And as a reward for the enthusiastic response to the project by pupils and teachers, Newminster Middle School in Morpeth was selected to have a full solar thermal and photovoltaic system installed by eaga.

To help pupils to fully understand the process of capturing renewable energy, display units show the performance and outputs of the devices in real terms such as water temperature, energy yield and solar radiation

Paul Lawrence, Head Teacher at Newminster Middle School, said: “Not only is this helping the school save carbon and lower our fuel bills, but perhaps more importantly it is inspiring pupils to learn more about how renewable energy can help protect the environment and ensure a sustainable future. Being able to see and touch something is a wonderful learning aid and this has certainly captured the imagination of the pupils and will help with their curriculum work.”

Steve Caseley, Managing Director of eaga Renewables, added: “As well as making science lessons fun, we estimate these solar panels are already saving more than 1,300kg of carbon each year. Given the Government’s Climate Change Bill has now set legally binding targets for the UK to cut its C02 emissions by 80% by 2050 these are just the kind of projects at a local authority level that can help us get there and meet what will inevitably become increasingly tough carbon saving obligations.”

Mark Taylor, NaREC’s Project Manager for Explore Renewables, said: “NaREC is delighted with the success of the project thus far in helping teachers to educate their students on the emergence of renewable energy. Feedback from schools which have taken part this year has been excellent, and with some units still remaining for distribution we would urge others to grab this opportunity with both hands.”

For more information on solar power visit www.eagarenewables.com

For more information on solar power visit www.eagarenewables.com

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Notes to Editors


Picture caption: kids l-r Freddie Bowles, Harry Shashoua, Alicia Burton, Honoria Brown (pink jacket)
Back row – Mark Taylor, NaREC, Paul Lawrence, head teacher, Steve Caseley, eaga


1. eaga plc is a green support services and outsourcing company. It is also the UK’s largest residential energy efficiency provider.
2. eaga was established in Newcastle in 1990 and operates across the UK and in the Republic of Ireland, India and Canada. It employs over 4,500 people.
3. eaga works in partnership with central and local Government, all six major energy suppliers, local authorities, social housing providers and is increasing its share of the able-to-pay private market.
4. Since its inception, eaga has made a positive difference to over 5 million disadvantaged households across the UK, by installing energy efficiency insulation and central heating.
5. eaga holds the contract to deliver the £1.5 billion Warm Front programme in England, the cornerstone of government's target to eliminate fuel poverty.
6. eaga was recently appointed by the BBC to deliver the Switchover Help Scheme to ensure eligible households can receive help making the switch from analogue to digital.
7. eaga is committed to co-ownership and is one of only a handful of UK organisations where every employee with over a year’s service is entitled to a share in the success of the business.
8. Since 2000, eaga has invested over £3 million in the independent eaga Partnership Charitable Trust which funds research into solutions to fuel poverty.