1 December 2025
An innovative community energy project that generates green energy from an east London Church of England primary school and shares it with nearby homes has begun delivering its first power.
The pilot project by E.ON Next is designed to maximise the benefits of local solar generation and to make energy more affordable within communities - making cleaner power more accessible and affordable for all, while supporting the UK’s net zero goals.
This first-of-its-kind initiative has seen E.ON Next fund and install more than 220 solar panels on St Luke’s CEVA Primary School in Canning Town, east London. The school benefits from discounted electricity, with a portion of the power also shared to neighbours at a reduced price.
The project was formally launched on Friday 28th November 2025, with staff and pupils of St Luke’s, along with a blessing by the Rev'd Amy Stott, the vicar of St Luke’s Church (pictured below).
Speaking at the launch of the project, Amy said:
“It's so exciting to see this project come together. St Luke's Church and School is an amazing and unique community, and now it's great to also be part of this new generation of innovators and developers leading into this new technological revolution of seeing community buildings serving the community even more.
“We are so grateful to E.ON for working with us to see our wonderful school and church become even more at the heart of serving Canning Town.”
Also speaking at the launch, Carrie Prior, Chelmsford Diocesan Director of Education, said:
"Today is about more than installing solar panels - it’s about pioneering a new way of thinking, where schools and communities work together to care for creation and share energy for the common good."
