Introduction
Greener Kemnay was initiated in 2012 by a group of friends who wanted to support the greener conscience of the village. The 3 aims – Growing; Paths; Energy – are now 3 Sub groups each focussing on one aim.
The Energy sub- group’s aims are focussed on ‘Reducing the quantity of fuel we need to be warm and fed is our path’.
It became evident, post covid and brexit, that energy prices were increasing at an alarming rate, creating issues for those returning to work/working from home – fuel costs, heating homes – fuel costs, groceries – fuel costs, brexit and power cuts due to storm Arwen, Frank and most recently, Babete and Ciaran affecting everyone especially the most vulnerable and those on lower incomes (not age related) and infirm.
Greener Kemnay held a consultation with the community in May 2022 asking residents to highlight their concerns, what was affecting them most and to identify 3 of the most important issues out of all those raised.
These issues were taken to our first meeting formulating Greener Kemnay Energy sub group.
The group have spent a LOT of time applying for funding to enable progress – being successful in receiving £11259.00 through Just Transition Participatory Fund to purchase thermography equipment so that images and data can be collated to help Kemnay residents’ see where their energy loss is escaping from in order to decide how to progress to make their homes more energy efficient.
Volunteer training – £1000 from NESCAN received.
We collaborated with other local organisations NESFIT, Imagine Udny and Matt Clubb, to begin building a network to encourage localised bulk buying of fuels, insulation etc. We supported an Energy event in conjunction with NESFIT and British Gas to; attract local tradesmen to consider training for upskilling to retrofit standards; offer an opportunity for Kemnay residents to become more informed about retrofit.
We have conducted 2 pilot projects to experience the thermography process, now that the cold weather is upon us, so that we can iron out any teething problems/timings etc and be clear what we can offer, make best use of the equipment we have and what else we need to do.
It is very clear we are on a learning curve as a group and that whilst we are clear on how we wish to progress, working closely with the community, we are realising we are very much at the forefront not only in our approach but also in our concept of working together with other organisations to drive down the costs for people to make retrofitting an affordable option, accessible locally and in line with personal needs.
We have compiled a postcode database of houses within the Kemnay Village and catchment area, and have begun to populate that with basic data on house type, construction etc.
We have also made approaches to Energy4All with a view to potentially taking a share in a windfarm as a means to bring in income into the community to further the aims of Greener Kemnay.
Two volunteers have completed Introduction to Thermal Imaging Course – we shall be sharing the data tonight. We are looking for more volunteers to take up the training offer to enable our programme of surveying 20 houses and help start the retrofit process.
We have approximately 2000 houses within the Kemnay catchment area –
275 granite houses circa 1880’s – 1930’s
300 solid block traditional circa 1950’s – 1970’s
574 wooden houses circa 1970’s- 80’s
600 timber framed houses circa 1990’s – present day