Graffiti Mural Celebrates Green Power

Sustainable energy is the theme for the borough’s newest piece of public art.

Inspired by young people, the large mural has been painted on the building housing the Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plant at Fleming Park Leisure Centre.

Unveiled by MP Sandra Gidley with Eastleigh Mayor, Councillor Derek Pretty and Baroness Diana Maddock, a long time champion of Sustainable Energy, inspiration for the design came from a workshop with pupils from nearby schools. 

The Council’s Cabinet lead for the environment Louise Bloom explains why this significant piece of public art was created.

“We wanted to celebrate our achievement and let the community know what we are doing and how we are using the latest energy saving and sustainable technologies.    I am very pleased to announce that the Southampton based local art collective, Somnio, worked with local youngsters to create this wonderful piece of public art for us.  It has been inspired by the need to use energy more sustainability if we are to tackle climate change.  The CHP scheme at Fleming Park has saved 152 tonnes of carbon dioxide in the last year.”

The energy saving CHP system, developed and operated by Utilicom Ltd, is part of the Borough Council’s policy to encourage the development of environmentally friendly ways of producing energy.

The system involves a gas engine providing electricity, heating and hot water for one of the country’s busiest Leisure Centre plus hot water for heating Eastleigh’s Civic Offices nearby.  It is a highly efficient means of producing energy which makes use of the heat normally lost in the generation of electricity.  The mural will help to raise awareness about the CHP scheme.

Eastleigh Borough Council has been awarded Beacon Status by the government demonstrating that it is one of the country’s leading authorities when it comes to tackling climate change.  The installation of the CHP Plant was highlighted as one of the projects that helped the Council to win the award.

Utilicom is the nation’s leading District Energy provider supplying over 40 major consumers and hundreds of domestic customers. 

As well as witnessing the unveiling of the artwork by MP Sandra Gidley, representatives of the local community and other councils were given a tour of the scheme and hear how such schemes can help to reduce energy and tackle climate change.

Sandra Gidley MP officially unveils the green graffiti mural at Fleming Park with Eastleigh Mayor Cllr Derek Pretty and Baroness Diana Maddock