Controversy over energy policy continues to be a major political issue. A council-led 'green energy revolution' could help tackle climate change, save money and boost local economies
Since the Nottingham Declaration on Climate Change in October 2000, local authorities have made great strides in reducing their carbon footprints – often tackling the rising costs of energy, reducing fuel poverty and boosting local economies in the process. Taking inspiration from pioneering work in other parts of Europe, councils here have started to envisage a significant role for local government in leading the energy revolution at a local level.
The British public have expressed anger as rising energy prices and energy has become a major political issue in the run up to the General Election. Indeed, the recent referral by Ofgem of the energy market to the Competition and Markets Authority brings into question the whole structure of the energy industry as it stands.
We believe that a solution to many of these issues lies in encouraging a 'green energy revolution', which starts at local level and has the potential to offer enormous social and economic benefits.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, local government was at the heart of great changes that improved public health and well-being and councils were involved in the generation and supply of gas and electricity. Now, it seems things are beginning to come full circle, with councils well placed to lead a new green energy revolution for the 21st century.
Research by the Association for Public Service Excellence has shown that every £1 spent on renewable energy projects has delivered an average of £2.90 in cashable benefits – an almost threefold return on investment. On average, schemes created 12 jobs and saved 650 tonnes of carbon each year.
In these difficult times, councils can see further opportunities to save money and make money and support hard-pressed services. Realising the benefits of localised energy will not happen overnight, but we believe that bringing local authorities together to share knowledge and best practice is a first step towards achieving a positive vision for cost effective, sustainable energy supply and distribution.
Councils have joined together to form APSE Energy, which was officially launched at the House of Commons last week, and its members are already delivering exciting green energy solutions.
Aberdeen Council embarked on an ambitious district heating network in 2002 through Aberdeen Heat and Power and has plans in progress to develop a hydrogen economy. Stockton-On-Tees Council is delivering its green vision for community energy and has England’s biggest private housing external insulation programme.
Oxford City Council is funding Low Carbon Oxford - a network of pathfinders collaborating for emissions reductions across the city from the MINI Plant, Unipart, local universities and the NHS, along with a host of other organisations.
Nottingham’s District Energy Network comprises 68km of insulated pipework carrying pressurised hot water around the city centre and a suburb north of the city. A Combined Heat and Power plant produces 60,000MWh of electricity annually, which is supplied to large commercial customers through a private wire network, with the excess going to the National Grid.
Peterborough City Council has developed a blueprint for municipal energy through its ESCO, Blue Skies Peterborough, and has pioneering framework contracts in place for energy performance and solar photovoltaics.
Southampton City Council has adopted a strategic city-wide approach to delivery of low carbon energy and is drawing up a programme for schemes across the city. Plans are in place for refurbishing and expanding the City Centre Geothermal network, together with a business case for a £14m district energy scheme.
Portsmouth City Council is working with partners to review energy capacity and develop a strategy to determine what is needed and how it can best meet goals for carbon reduction and energy efficiency.
These are just a few of the many excellent examples taken from the work of authorities across the UK that are members of APSE Energy. The aim is to work collaboratively to take forward a vision of ‘municipal energy’, which can achieve benefits for local communities in the spirit of true ‘localism’ and municipal entrepreneurship.
We believe this can help address the energy needs of our localities and our nation – now and into the future.
Paul O'Brien is chief executive of the Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE). email: po'[email protected] for more details
