Sustainability
Cleator Moor Celtic: Where Economy Meets Ecology
About the project
The Cleator Moor Celtic project is a collaborative initiative between Westinghouse, React Engineering, Jacobs, Radiance Renewable Energy Solutions, and the Industrial Solutions Hub, working alongside Cleator Moor Celtic Football Club and the local community. The aim is to enhance the club’s facilities, create more accessible and sustainable infrastructure, and strengthen its role as a hub for sport and community activity.
This partnership brings together engineering expertise, renewable energy innovation, and community engagement to deliver long-term social value. The project focuses on modernising the site, encouraging participation in sport across all age groups, and creating a venue that can host a wide range of events. By combining local passion with the skills and resources of industry partners, the Cleator Moor Celtic project aims to leave a lasting legacy for the town and surrounding area.
📍West Cumbria
💼 Community
⚙️ Sustainability
Challenges
Empowering Community Organisations Through Sustainable Innovation
Cleator Moor Celtic Football Club plays a vital role in the local community, providing sports facilities, youth engagement, and a social hub for residents. The club relies heavily on donations and income from hiring its event space to sustain operations. However, rising energy costs have made it increasingly difficult to maintain day-to-day activities and deliver the vital sporting services the community depends on.
At the same time, the Football Association’s evolving environmental sustainability standards require clubs to reduce their carbon footprint and adopt greener practices. Meeting these expectations demands additional investment in infrastructure and technology, resources that the club does not currently have.
This challenge raises a broader question faced by many community-led organisations: How can they leverage sustainable technologies and practices to not only reduce their environmental impact but also secure long-term financial viability?
Solution
Powering Communities with Solar, Storage & EV Innovation
Co-Lab facilitated a three-day innovation event with young people from Cleator Moor Celtic Football Club, allowing them to explore and design solutions to the club’s economic and environmental sustainability challenges. Working in teams, they assessed the club’s energy use, explored renewable technologies, and considered ideas that could cut costs and reduce environmental impact.
Their recommendations were captured and developed into a compelling case for change, which the Industrial Solutions Hub then used as the foundation for a grant application. This collaborative approach secured £50,000 in funding to deploy a solar power system, on-site battery storage, and EV charging points at the club. The scheme will reduce operating costs, lower carbon emissions, and create a visible example of sustainable technology, inspiring the next generation of young people to lead on climate-conscious innovation in their communities.
Process
Community Project Development Process
The process begins with Identify Community Group, followed by Recruit Young People to engage the community. Produce Bespoke Content and Deliver Engineering Solutions Sessions build capacity and skills. Track Data ensures progress monitoring, while Utilise Build Solutions focuses on actionable outcomes. Throughout, Sponsor Engagement provides continuous support. The final stages involve Input Data & Measure Against Metrics, Case Study Report, and Carbon Capture & Follow Up, with Matching VCSIs to Funding Grants via Funding Co-Ordinator facilitating financial support.
Benefits
Building Economic and Environmental Resilience Through Clean Energy
Economic Resilience – Implementing energy-efficient or renewable solutions can save approximately £4–5K in annual electricity costs, stabilising budget and freeing up funds for further investment.
Scope 2 Reduction – Switching to cleaner power sources or generating renewable energy can lower Scope 2 emissions by roughly 4,000 kg CO₂e per year, aligning operations with sustainability goals.
Community Stewardship – Leading community stewardship efforts builds local goodwill and supports social and environmental progress.
