Powering Resilience in Kirkby Malzeard

Kirkby Malzeard Mechanics Institute Village Hall (MIVH) is now a brighter, warmer, and more resilient place at the heart of its rural community, thanks to a £20,000 grant from the Northern Powergrid Foundation.

With support from the Foundation, the village hall has successfully installed a solar power generation and battery storage system, strengthening energy resilience for local people while supporting the UK’s journey towards net zero.

Located in an area that has experienced multiple power outages in recent years, some lasting several days, the project was designed with community protection at its core. The new system ensures that during power interruptions, the village hall can act as a safe, warm refuge for residents of Kirkby Malzeard, Dallowgill, and Laverton, particularly benefitting vulnerable individuals who may otherwise be left without electricity or heating.

The installation includes 44 solar panels, a hybrid battery inverter, high-voltage battery storage, and an Emergency Power Supply (EPS). Together, these technologies allow the hall to generate, store, and use clean energy on-site, and feed surplus power back into the local electricity network for the next 25 years.

As a non-profit charity, the financial benefits of the system are already being felt. In just the first  nine months of operation, the village hall has seen a significant reduction in its electricity bills (even over most winter months), freeing up funds that can be reinvested into community activities and future facility improvements. With the brighter and longer days of spring generating export payments, the system has provided a new income stream, helping to secure the hall’s long-term sustainability.

Community feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with residents welcoming the hall’s move towards clean, locally generated energy.

This project not only helps protect rural communities during power outages but also demonstrates how community buildings can play an active role in delivering local energy resilience, reduced carbon emissions, and long-term social value.

With support from the Northern Powergrid Foundation, Kirkby Malzeard Mechanics Institute Village Hall is now powering its community… today and for generations to come.