A primary school near Chichester has been awarded £29,989 from EDF Energy towards a renewable energy project.

The grant comes from the EDF Energy Green Fund and will help pay for a biomass wood pellet boiler scheme at Eastergate Primary School.

The biomass boiler will use locally-sourced wood pellets providing more efficient heating to the school and reducing carbon emissions by around 18 tonnes per year.

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. Funding towards the project has also been secured from the Community Sustainable Energy Programme and a loan from West Sussex County Council.

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Judith Holland, Headteacher at Eastergate Primary School, said: "We're delighted that the EDF Energy Green Fund is able to help make this exciting project a reality. The £29,989 will go a huge way to helping us create this low carbon solution. We actively promote energy efficient behaviour throughout our school encouraging the pupils to save energy through switching off lights and appliances as well as monitoring the schools energy usage."

The installation is due to begin in the summer with the project expected to be completed by September.

Eastergate Primary School is already implementing a range of sustainable habits as one of more than 15,000 schools that are part of The Pod, EDF Energy’s online programme for greener schools which is estimated to have helped engage over 5 million young people in sustainability issues since it began in 2008.

The eco-friendly school focuses on reducing its impact on the environment by getting pupils to recycle and compost food waste as well as saving energy and regularly checking the electricity meter and putting financial savings achieved towards new play equipment.

(CD)