ELECTRICITY remains green for public buildings across Warwickshire.
Warwickshire County Council’s Cabinet voted unanimously to extend the current electricity contract with the East Shires Purchasing Organisation until September 2028.
The electricity purchased through this arrangement is currently used in over 100 properties within WCC’s property portfolio and covers a range of different building types from fire stations and libraries to highways depots and offices.
The ESPO electric agreement includes the option of a ‘Pure Green’ electricity tariff that the council has purchased since 2020. This electricity is from 100 per cent renewable sources such as solar, wind and hydro/wave. This electricity can be matched to the Ofgem administered Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin, supporting the WCC’s Sustainable Futures Strategy and net zero ambitions.
WCC’s Energy Strategy, which will focus primarily on the energy efficiency of council owned buildings, will be considered for approval by Cabinet in June 2023, further supporting the delivery of the Sustainable Futures Strategy.
Procurement of energy and improving energy efficiency will be major strands of this work as the council identifies ways to move towards more cost-effective green energy and reduce its reliance on electricity and gas to heat and power its buildings.
Rob Powell, WCC’s Strategic Director for Resources, said: “The continued purchasing of Pure Green Electricity under our ESPO contract is a key part of our commitment to meet our net zero targets.
“As part of the work towards a new Energy Strategy for the council, we will review and learn lessons from good practice across local government and other sectors. The Strategy will be supported by a comprehensive delivery plan, which will set out how we will reduce our electricity and gas consumption and subsequent carbon emissions.”
For more information about how Warwickshire is facing the challenges of the climate change emergency visit https://www.warwickshireclimateemergency.org.uk/
