East Kilbride Community Trust (EKCT) trust has received a funding boost of nearly £75,000 from SP Energy Networks’ Transmission Net Zero Fund to facilitate energy efficient improvements to its home in East Kilbride.
- Glasgow City player, Lee Gibson, goes back to her roots to inspire next generation of football talent in celebration of funding boost
- K-Park Training Academy to install energy efficient solar panels thanks to £75K grant from SP Energy Networks’ Transmission Net Zero Fund
- Savings generated will be reinvested back into running of the training grounds and help create an inclusive environment for community groups to use
The £74,600 funding, which will be used to install solar panels at its K-Park Training Academy, is estimated to result in an annual saving of £6,000, which will be re-invested back into the community of East Kilbride through the services offered to vulnerable communities by EKCT.
A recent partnership between EKCT and the newly-formed East Kilbride Integration Network has also resulted in the creation of a new refugee football initiative, ensuring new residents of East Kilbride have access to safe and inclusive sporting facilities.
East Kilbride’s K-Park Training Academy, which has become a hub within the community, is owned and maintained by EKCT and is home to a number of local sporting teams, including East Kilbride Football Club's U12s Girls team.
To celebrate the funding, EKCT played host to professional footballer, Lee Gibson - goalkeeper for Scottish Women's Premier League club Glasgow City and the Scotland Women's national team. Having grown up in the area, Lee began her professional career in East Kilbride and returned to her roots to attend a training session with the U12s team at K-Park. During her visit, Lee talked with the young players, inspiring them with her journey from East Kilbride to Scotland’s national team. 
Commenting on her visit, Lee said: “It was amazing to have the opportunity to come down to K-Park Training Academy and meet the U12’s girls team. It's incredible to see young athletes not only passionate about football, but also take an interest in sustainability and the action we all need to take to protect their futures.
“It’s obvious that the installation of solar panels, made possible by the Net Zero Fund, is a huge milestone for the Trust and will help them continue to nurture and support East Kilbride’s future football talent.”
While at the training ground, Lee was also able to learn more from the EKCT team about the importance of the facility from its regular users, as well as the positive impact the energy efficient renovations are set to have.
Speaking on the impact of the funding, Scot Dow, Site Manager for East Kilbride Community Trust, said: "We are incredibly grateful to SP Energy Networks and its Net Zero Fund for their generous support. This funding will not only allow us to install solar panels at our facility and make significant reductions to our carbon footprint, we’ll also be able to involve our young players in conversations around climate change and take them on the journey with us.
“The annual savings generated from making these upgrades will make a huge difference. By investing now, we’re able to futureproof the training grounds and continue to open up access to sporting opportunities for generations to come.”
Lynda Ward, SP Energy Networks Transformation Director, added: “Visiting the training grounds at K-Park and meeting some of the budding sporting talent that make use of the facilities has been inspiring. It really brings home the importance of supporting the next generation in conversations about net zero as ultimately, they are the ones who will benefit from the changes we are making today.
“Spaces like this are at the heart of communities within the areas we operate in, so it's crucial that they are supported in making their sustainability plans a reality.”
A host of charities and organisations supporting vulnerable communities across Scotland have received tailored capacity building support and been awarded funding from SP Energy Networks’ Transmission Net Zero Fund to support their transition to low-carbon energy solutions and ensure no one is left behind when it comes to net zero.
The successful groups are receiving grants to help them decarbonise and reach their net zero targets sooner, with projects ranging from the installation of low carbon technology to electrifying transport and retrofitting listed buildings to increase energy efficiency.
SP Energy Networks owns and operates the electricity transmission and distribution network in Central and Southern Scotland, delivering power to more than two million homes and businesses. The Net Zero Fund has been established through SP Transmission, a subsidiary of SP Energy Networks, responsible for transmitting high-voltage electricity from power stations and windfarms to the low-voltage network across Central and Southern Scotland.
More information about the Net Zero Fund is available at: www.spenergynetworks.co.uk/netzerofund