Local MP and Councillors visit Orchard Farm

19 October 2018

Gordon Henderson, MP for Sittingbourne & Sheppey visited Orchard Community Energy’s solar farm near Iwade in his constituency today to celebrate the contribution of community energy to clean economic growth and tackling climate change. His visit took place in Green GB Week which ran from 15-19 October 2018.

Mr Henderson was joined by Councillor David Simmons, Cabinet Member for the Environment and Rural Affairs, Swale BC and Councillor Roger Clark, Iwade Parish Council.

Representatives of Sheppey Community Energy Trust, the other community energy group in Mr Henderson’s constituency, were also present.

They heard how the 5MW ground-mounted solar array was brought into community ownership in 2016 by a group of Kent-based community energy enthusiasts supported by local and national community investors who together raised over £2M in community shares and bonds.