Created: 3rd June, 2026
Edwin has over 15 years extensive experience in delivering built environment and sustainability services across the planning, development and building occupation lifecycles of major public sector education and commercial estates.
As an Energy & Sustainability specialist with extensive knowledge of the public and education sectors, Edwin brings a wealth of experience to the Practice including the areas of Carbon Reduction & Energy Efficiency Measures, Energy Policy & Strategy, Project and Programme Management, as well as Sustainable Design Advice.
Edwin’s key focus is to support the Barker’s client base with achieving their carbon reduction and energy efficiency aims across their education and commercial estates.
Great British Energy’s (GBE) first‑anniversary update presents a picture of rapid scaling, early delivery, and a clear strategic direction for the UK’s publicly owned clean‑power company.
The article emphasises how GBE has moved from legislation to tangible outcomes within 12 months, focusing on clean‑energy deployment, supply‑chain investment, and public‑sector cost savings.
GBE reports that more than 225 schools and colleges and 162 NHS sites in England have already installed solar panels through its funding, with over 300 NHS sites expected in total. These installations are projected to generate £360 million in lifetime bill savings, freeing up money for frontline services.
The anniversary announcement also includes 49 new community energy project locations, part of a wider ambition to support 1,000 community schemes across the UK.
In May, Jonathan Coyles, Associate Partner at Barker, visited Oasis Academy Oldham with the Minister for Climate Change, Katie White MP, to engage with staff and students on green energy topics. Also present were Jessica Marshall, National Environmental Sustainability Manager at Oasis Community Learning, and Tariq Mahmood, the school’s Principal.
Oasis is one of the 94 sites managed by the Barker Consortium that has benefited from significantly lowered energy consumption and impressive financial savings from solar panel installations funded and implemented by Great British Energy’s Solar Partnership (GBESP) 2025/26 and the Net Zero Accelerator Partnership Pathfinder 2024/25.
Both of these programmes were delivered for the Department of Education and the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero. The GBESP was also in part funded by GB Energy.
Find out more about Barker’s work under the Great British Energy Solar Partnerships programme in the North East, South East, and South West.
So far, 23,329 solar PV panels have been fitted and commissioned via these schemes, with a total investment of £11,091,420 in this area alone.
When combined with the company’s large-scale LED lighting, EV charging points and building management system (BMS) implementations, Barker has:
This work has returned:
Edwin O’Connell, Barker’s Energy & Sustainability Lead, says:
“This past year has shown just how powerful focused, collaborative action can be. We’re incredibly proud of the progress made through our partnership with Great British Energy, not just in the numbers, but in the real change happening on the ground.
Schools across the country are cutting their energy use, saving millions of pounds, and giving students a first‑hand experience of what a cleaner, smarter future looks like.
Seeing these projects come to life in classrooms and corridors across the country is a reminder that this work isn’t abstract; it’s transforming learning environments and freeing up vital resources for education. It’s a legacy we’re proud to be part of.”
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