Nerve Centre has received initial support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund for a bold new project Power Plants. Made possible thanks to National Lottery players, the project aims to use creativity to explore the generation and use of power, the depletion of native plant species and biodiversity, and the need to protect and repair our natural heritage.
Development funding of £255,172 has been awarded by the Heritage Fund. This will help Nerve Centre progress plans to apply for a full National Lottery grant of £944,507 at a later date.
Currently in development, the project brings together a multi-sectoral partnership led by Nerve Centre alongside acclaimed artist Oliver Jeffers, the Eden Project, National Museums NI, and NI Science Festival.
Oliver Jeffers’ thought-provoking approach will explore humanity’s relationship with power — how we define, generate and value it. More importantly, it will examine how we can repurpose power to restore balance with nature, as we recognise that we belong to the world, not the other way around.
Power Plants will create more than 10 jobs and offer over 100 volunteering opportunities, engaging more than 12,000 participants through events, workshops, and interactive experiences. A creative learning initiative for schools will utilise cutting-edge education resources — including an immersive Minecraft world — to inspire more than 5,000 young people.
At the heart of Power Plants will be an eye-catching sculptural installation designed by Oliver Jeffers. Featuring towering industrial-style chimneys bursting with vibrant flowers, the artwork symbolises the depletion of native plant species and the urgent need for biodiversity conservation. The installation will tour iconic heritage sites across Northern Ireland and the UK, accompanied by an augmented reality (AR) experience that allows audiences to engage with heritage content co-produced by local communities.
David Lewis, Nerve Centre’s Director of Communications and Development, emphasised the project’s mission:
"At its most simplistic, Power Plants is about reminding people that there is power everywhere, including within themselves. In the face of the intractable issues facing our natural heritage, there is an urgent need to empower people to be part of the solution, particularly in relation to biodiversity loss and climate change. Thanks to The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Power Plants will engage the public in the world of Oliver Jeffers, empowering audiences to explore this heritage through art, creativity and the latest digital technologies, acting as a catalyst for change."
The project combines creative arts, digital innovation, and environmental education to inspire action and reconnect communities with their natural heritage. From immersive workshops to large-scale public installations, Power Plants is set to make a lasting impact, sparking conversations and empowering individuals to play a role in protecting our environment.
For more information on upcoming Power Plants events and opportunities as the project progresses, visit our Power Plants page.