Residents in Sizewell C’s host town of Leiston will benefit from expert advice on energy bills and energy efficiency, thanks to funding from the nuclear power project on the Suffolk coast.
Through a contribution to Net Zero Leiston, Sizewell C has awarded £24k to Citizens Advice East Suffolk to extend the Energy Advice Hub it launched across East Suffolk in November 2024.
The Energy Advice Hub will now provide dedicated, expert advice in Leiston at the existing Citizens Advice East Suffolk office for at least the next two years. The service will help people engage with energy providers, learn how to manage energy usage, and reduce energy loss at home.
Jack Raven, Sizewell C’s Regional Development Project Manager and member of the Net Zero Leiston Steering Group, said: “We are pleased to fund the expansion of the Energy Advice Hub so that it can directly benefit more residents in Leiston. This is one of several ways we are working to support Leiston’s journey to Net Zero, which will include the launch of freely available e-bikes and additional electric charging points around the town in the coming months.”
The new scheme builds on the work that Net Zero Leiston has already achieved in the town. A community-led initiative launched in 2020, which aims to support the town to manage and reduce its carbon emissions, the project has already supported schemes designed to reduce carbon emissions, promote sustainable living, and foster a culture of environmental responsibility which support a pathway to Net Zero.
Chiara Saunders, Chief Executive Citizens Advice East Suffolk, said: “Keeping warm in your home is important for your health and comfort and Citizens Advice East Suffolk is delighted to be part of a project that will support people in the Leiston area to better manage their energy usage and costs, while also supporting the community as a whole in its path to Net Zero.”
Last year, Citizens Advice East Suffolk were also one of the first organisations to benefit from the Sizewell C Community Fund, securing £170,000 to recruit, train and coordinate volunteers to provide broader advice to local residents over the next three years.