The Almshouse Association has recently held discussions with Centrica, the parent company of British Gas, to explore the possibility of almshouse charities using their surplus land for solar farms or other green energy developments.

Centrica are currently looking to help members in this area which could provide an alternative funding stream for the charity, with the potential to use their land for solar farms and battery storage.

The charity would need to have access to either:

  • 75 acres+ for solar farms
  • 2-5 acres for battery storage

For either development, the land would need to be near a good grid connection.

If you are interested, you will need to provide the following information so that Centrica can check the suitability of the land:

  • the amount of land you would be looking to lease out
  • any existing energy solutions on the site (solar, windmills etc)
  • a company name that you trade under (likely just your charity name)
  • who would be involved in the decision-making for leasing out the site
  • a postcode for the land or some indicator of the land should it not be where the charity is based
  • whether there is a grid connection that you know of nearby or on the land and the capacity of it, if you know this
  • whether you have been in touch with other companies previously for a similar interest in the land.

The Almshouse Association continues to look for opportunities for members to make their charities more sustainable both environmentally and financially. We are working with a number of partners, including The National Trust and Historic England to provide suitable guidance in this area. The Association is not endorsing Centrica as a preferred partner and so members should also consider whether other energy providers may be looking to make similar investments. Members will also need to consider their own governing documents, local views and planning issues connected with these types of developments. 

Interested members can provide the above information to Jack Baldan via admin@almshouses.org or alternatively can get in touch with Simon Jobson via simon.jobson@centrica.com.    

Posted 24 April 22