Solar panels project complete

Blaby District Council has completed the installation of more than 490 solar panels on the roof of Enderby Leisure Centre, generating clean energy to cut costs and carbon emissions. 

The system, designed and installed by Plug Me In, will produce an estimated 202,699-kilowatt hours of electricity each year. That’s the equivalent annual usage of around 70 average homes.  

By switching to solar, Enderby Leisure Centre will avoid an estimated 39 tonnes of CO2 emissions every year. This will help Everyone Active, which operates and manages the centre, reduce reliance on the grid and protect against rising energy costs. 

This project has received £140,000 from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Blaby District Council also invested £109,000. 

The move supports the Council’s net zero ambitions, a cornerstone of the Blaby Plan. The authority has a target of being net zero by 2030 and for the District to be net zero by 2050. 

The photovoltaic project at the leisure centre follows the installation of panels at the Council’s depot in Whetstone. 

Recently Councillors also backed a scheme to introduce electric vehicle charging infrastructure at the depot. It is part of a plan to transition to an electric fleet. 

Plans to bring EV charging to Enderby Leisure Centre, under a countywide scheme, are also progressing. 

Councillor Nigel Grundy, Blaby District Council Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhood Services and Assets, said: "We are immensely proud to have delivered this project with the support of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. It is a clear statement of our commitment to sustainability."

Councillor Nick Chapman, Portfolio Holder for Community and Economic Development, added: "The installation of panels will help future-proof the centre against ever-rising energy costs, providing increased economic certainty for both us and Everyone Active." 

James Naylor, Everyone Active’s area contract manager, said: "It is great news that these investments are reducing the centre’s carbon footprint. Everyone Active is proud to work alongside Blaby District Council, as part of our net zero strategy, to help achieve our company’s net zero ambitions." 

For more details on the UKSPF visit: UK Shared Prosperity Fund 

Notes to editors: 

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK. Investing in communities and place, supporting local business and people and skills. 

Councillor Nigel Grundy
Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhood Services and Assets

Councillor Nick Chapman
Portfolio Holder for Community and Economic Development