Energy Fair promises to be the best yet

361 Energy CIC, the community energy advice organisation for North Devon and Torridge, will be holding another Energy Fair in Barnstaple this month.

The fair, which promises to be the biggest one yet, will take place at the Pannier Market on Sunday, September 29.

The event will be opened by MP for North Devon, Ian Roome, and will run from 10am until 4pm.

This year’s fair is sponsored by RES Devon and comes during a time of extended high gas and electricity prices, with a 10 per cent increase in the Energy Price Cap due on October 1.

Paul Rogers, Chair of 361 Energy CIC, said: “This year’s Energy Fair will be bigger and better than ever with a wide range of exhibitors and activities for all the family.”

Above. The first 361 Energy Fair in 2014. Image: 361 Energy CIC

Donna Sibley, Sustainability and Climate Officer for North Devon and Torridge Councils, said: “The Councils are pleased that the Energy Fair can offer local residents the opportunity to find out how to cut their carbon emissions and lower their bills.”

Director of RES Devon Ltd, David Jeffrey, added: “The 361 Energy Fair is a great opportunity for us to talk to local residents about technologies like solar PV, battery storage, and heat pumps.”

Other installers at the event will include Mitchell & Dickenson, who fit secondary glazing and insulation, and Target CO2, who can install insulation, heating, and renewables and provide access to government grants.

The event will also feature the latest electric vehicles from brands including BMW, Dacia, Ford, Hyundai, Kia, Mini, Renault, Skoda Vauxhall, and VW.

Above. RES Devon stand at the 361 Energy Fair in 2016. Image: 361 Energy CIC

The fair will also offer several exciting family activities. 

The Space Odyssey planetarium dome will have free viewings of a 30-minute immersive film exploring climate change on Earth. 

The Exeter Science Centre will bring their ‘Our World from Space’ programme of activities, exploring how satellite observations help us to understand the health of the land, sea, and air, with a focus on climate change and biodiversity loss.

There will also be an art competition where you can produce art to demonstrate how the climate emergency is impacting our local area. 

The event has a strong environmental angle and will feature stalls from North Devon Biosphere, Devon Wildlife Trust, and Plastic Free North Devon.

The North Devon Green Party will also be available to explain their policies.

Other organisations providing advice and support include a morning mechanical and an afternoon electrical repair cafe, as well as the Northern Devon Food Bank.

For the first time, there will also be a series of talks in the refurbished Corn Store of the Pannier Market, covering a range of topics relating to the environment, renewable energy, and retrofitting homes and businesses with energy-saving technologies.

You can find more information on 361 Energy CIC’s website.