E.ON NEXT LAUNCHES PIONEERING SOLAR-SHARING PROJECT IN EAST LONDON
E.ON Launches Landmark Solar-Sharing Energy Scheme in East London
An experimental community energy scheme in east London has begun exporting its first power, marking a significant step towards localised clean-energy networks designed to cut household bills and accelerate progress toward the UK’s net zero goals.
The initiative—developed by E.ON Next and deployed at St Luke’s CEVA Primary School in Canning Town—uses rooftop solar installations to generate electricity that is shared not only with the school but also with neighbouring homes at a reduced cost. The company says the model could radically improve access to affordable renewable power if adopted at scale.
E.ON Next funded and installed more than 220 solar panels on the school, enabling St Luke’s to benefit from discounted electricity while directing excess power to local residents. Staff, pupils and community members formally launched the project on Friday, with a blessing delivered by Reverend Amy Stott, the vicar of St Luke’s.
Ramona Vlasiu, Chief Operating Officer at E.ON Next, said: “The energy transition is about making an energy system that works for people rather than against them. It’s about making energy more affordable and sustainable, and through a combination of technology, innovation, and products, we can empower customers and make energy a force for good. There are more than 20,000 primary schools across the country… so the opportunity to turn these into clean energy hubs that support their communities is enormous.”
Headteacher Matt Hipperson said the project aligns closely with the school’s heritage and mission. “This exciting partnership with E.ON partners perfectly with the original trust deed for the school of over 150 years which relates to serving the community. The solar panels, alongside E.ON’s technical expertise, allow us to use our large roof to help reduce electricity bills for the community we serve.”
Reverend Amy Stott added: “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.”
The 221 solar panels are expected to produce around 92,000 kWh a year—enough to meet the power needs of roughly 34 average UK homes—and will cover more than half of the school’s energy consumption. Smart metering technology is being used to synchronise output with local demand and apply credits to household energy bills. According to E.ON, the scheme could save the school and its neighbouring residents more than £6,500 annually.
However, while the pilot is being positioned as a blueprint for future local power sharing, E.ON warned that existing regulations limit its wider rollout. The company is urging the Government and Ofgem to update policy frameworks and remove barriers such as social and environmental levies that currently make community energy trading uneconomical.
E.ON argues that enabling localised renewable power networks could ease strain on national infrastructure and reduce costs for consumers—an approach already being adopted in parts of Spain and Portugal, where communities sharing local renewable energy avoid substantial transmission fees.
The company estimates that the UK has the potential to unlock up to 117GW of low-carbon electricity from the rooftops of schools, universities, public buildings, warehouses and car parks, but says clearer market rules are essential to realising that capacity.
Research commissioned by E.ON shows strong public backing for national 2030 and 2050 net zero targets, as well as growing appetite for investment in community-based clean-energy projects, despite ongoing cost-of-living pressures.
