Representatives from local government and the wider public sector have met at a conference to explore how to raise income through renewable energy.
Since 2010, local councils and other similar public bodies have all been legally able to sell any electricity that they have generated from renewable energy sources to the national grid.
Organised by the WLGA, in partnership with Cynnal Cymru, RenewableUK, Wardell Armstrong, Cardiff Council and PWC, the conference outlined how some public sector organisations are already benefitting from an investment into renewable energy generation, and offered an important opportunity for public bodies in Wales to discuss what options are available to them with experts from the renewable energy sector.
Cllr Ieuan Williams, WLGA Spokesperson for Energy and Power said:
“Soaring bills, drastically reduced public sector finances, as well as a growing concern over security of supply, are all contributing to an increasingly strong business case for Wales’ public sector organisations to start exploring alternative ways of raising income by generating and selling renewable energy.
“There is clear potential for local councils, and other public sector bodies in Wales, to take a much more proactive position on energy matters, not only in terms of ensuring the best possible deal when it comes to negotiating the price they pay for it, but also in exploring what options are available for developing new income streams either by generating renewable energy themselves, or by investing in a renewable energy sector which is by far one of the UK’s fastest growing industries.
“Only recently, the Carbon Trust estimated that the total energy bill for local government in Wales during 2011 was £77million, and forecast that costs could rise by as much as 40% or more by 2016. This drastic increase in cost will come during a period when local government’s budget is expected to reduce by as much as 9% and, alongside the clear duty the Welsh public sector has to contribute to Wales’ ambitious national renewable energy targets, means there is a growing case to be made for public sector organisations in Wales taking a much more active role in developing new renewable energy sources and income streams.”
Dr David Clubb, Director of RenewableUK Cymru said:
“Renewable energy offers massive opportunities for the public sector. Progress is being made in Wales with local authorities such as Wrexham Council installing thousands of solar panels on its housing stock, but we are still lagging behind the likes of Scotland who are investing more in renewable energy than we are spending in Wales on all types of energy. Unless we seize the opportunity now it will be too late for us to maximise the potential that is here on our doorstep.”
Jon Fox, Technical Director for Wardell-Armstrong added:
“The need for technical, legal and financial advice in establishing successful projects cannot be underestimated. We look forward to exploring future opportunities, in partnership with local government, to assist with meeting targets, generating income and supporting wider climate change objectives.”
