A theatre for the creative arts in Hackney has been awarded £16,500 from EDF Energy to help it become the first carbon neutral theatre in the country.

The grant comes from the EDF Energy Green Fund and will help fund installation of 24 square metres of solar panels at newly-acquired premises for Arcola Theatre in Ashwin Street, in Hackney.

The charity runs educational programmes exploring environmental issues, developing discussion through theatre, events, technology demonstrations and its Arcola Energy for Schools programme. The solar panels will help highlight alternative renewable sources whilst saving the charity energy, money and reducing its carbon emissions.

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The EDF Energy Green Fund supports renewable energy projects which produce power from the sun, wind, water and geothermal sources that reduce greenhouse gases linked to global warming.

Dr Ben Todd, Executive Director at the theatre, said: "We're delighted that the EDF Energy Green Fund is able to help make this exciting project a reality. The £16,500 is a great help in creating this low carbon solution. The theatre is at the heart of Hackney and we want to create an environment to foster creativity as well as promote sustainability."

The project started at the beginning of the year is due for installation later this month.

Darren Towers, EDF Energy’s Head of Sustainability, said: "Thanks to customers on our Green Tariff, EDF Energy has been able to invest millions of pounds in small-scale renewable projects like this exciting project at the Arcola Theatre. It's all part of our commitment to building a low carbon future for the UK, something that helps communities and protects the environment now and into the future."

(CD/GK)