A tennis and squash club has secured a grant to allow it to save running costs by introducing more means for sustainable energy.

The Dorchester Tennis and Squash Club is looking to install solar panels and LED floodlights in a bid to reduce its carbon footprint, whilst also saving money on running costs.

The grant of £29,000 was awarded to the club by Low Carbon Dorset as part of the Government's Shared Prosperity Fund. 

Solar panels are set to be installed on the roof over the squash courts, whilst LED floodlights will be used for the tennis courts which will use much less electricity than the existing lights.

The club's premises officer will meet with an electrical contractor who will discuss the planning permission required to install the panels. 

Alastair Clark, the Tennis Chair and GMC of the tennis and squash club said that it will save ‘over 8.39 tonnes of CO2 each year.'

He said: “We’ve wanted to reduce costs and our carbon footprint for some time - we’re pleased.

“We’ll be changing all the lights on the tennis court to be activated by motion sensor which means people won’t be able to leave lights on.

“The LED lights are much cheaper and brighter than the old halogen light, and in the summer we are hoping to be self-sufficient and store the excess energy in the battery possibly sending it back to the grid.”

Mr Clark went on to say that the club had applied for funding twice before, but has received 50 per cent of the funding available on their latest request.

The club is hoping for the work to be completed around early March if planning permission is granted, after being told by the construction firm that it will take nine weeks to complete.

A spokesperson for Dorset Council said: "Dorchester Tennis and Squash Club has recently been awarded a £29k grant from Dorset Council’s Low Carbon Dorset programme to install energy-saving floodlights, solar panels, and battery storage technology at their premises.

"The replacement of Dorchester Tennis and Squash Club’s ageing floodlights with highly efficient LEDs is expected to reduce the running costs of the club’s floodlight system by around 30 to 50 per cent, as well as reducing light pollution in the area. 

"The installation of solar panels and battery storage technology at the site will also help reduce the club’s dependence on grid electricity.  

"Combined, this project is expected to significantly reduce both the club’s energy bills and its carbon footprint. 

"Low Carbon Dorset was set up by Dorset Council in 2018 and is part-funded by the UK Government.  Through the programme, organisations in the Dorset Council area can access free advice and grants to help improve energy efficiency and install renewable energy.  This free support is one of the ways the council is helping local businesses and communities prepare for a greener and more sustainable future," they added. 

Local organisations can find out more about the support available to them, by visiting the Low Carbon Dorset website.