Dobbies Garden World leading a green power surge with Peterborough pilot scheme

An energy scheme piloted in Peterborough will help reduce harmful emissions when it is rolled out across the country this year.

Dobbies Garden World, in Hampton, Peterborough is currently the only one of 31 Dobbies stores with electric car charging points, but following the success of the solar powered ports, the technology is to be introduced in Dobbies stores across Great Britain.

The car port can generate enough electricity to power a three-bedroom house for a year and includes two electric vehicle charging posts to help customers recharge their car for free when visiting the centre.

It is equipped with photovoltaic solar panels on the roof that convert sunlight into electricity and generate around 6,000 kilo-watt hours of electricity a year which also supplements the energy usage of the centre.

A spokeswoman for Dobbies Garden Centre said the firm is currently in talks with a global leader in electric vehicle charging and a formal deal is due to be signed in the New Year.

Dobbies chose Peterborough as the location for the charging point because of its environment capital aspirations and it has already been a great success.

Sustainability manager for Dobbies Garden Centre Richard Jardine, said: “We chose Peterborough as our first store to launch our new concept Eco Living Centre, including electric car charging, because the city of Peterborough is aiming to be the UK’s environmental capital.

“Dobbies aims to inspire and educate its customer to reduce their carbon footprint through simple changes to their own home, garden or lifestyle.

“We are looking to roll out the concept of electric vehicle charging points to our other 30 garden centres throughout the UK and will make an official announcement in early January.

“Dobbies Eco-Living Centre aims to give our customers a variety of product choices to make informed decisions for important changes within their home.

“Our partnership with EDF Energy leverages expert knowledge to offer customers individually-tailored help and advice.”

The news was welcomed by Peterborough Environment City Trust (PECT) chief executive Rachel Huxley, who said it was important for the city to be seen to be leading the country with green technology.

She said: “It is great news that Peterborough is leading the way with technology like this.

“We are very pleased that the charging points have been a success, as it shows how aware of environmental issues residents and companies are in Peterborough.”

In December 2010, Peterborough was given funding for 75 electric vehicle plug-in posts across the city.

The proposals, funded by the Government and the East of England Development Agency, mean that by the end of next year, motorists in the East of England will always be within 25 miles of an electric car charge point.

The £7 million plans, which cover the whole of the east of England, will see 600 double-headed plug-in points in towns and cities in the region, in an attempt to increase the number of electric cars on the roads.

Source : Stephen Briggs - Peterborough Today
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