Shropshire Council considers schemes to cut carbon emissions and save money

Shropshire Council say rising fuel costs are a major drain on their resources, as a whole and for tenants living in council houses. They have a target of reducing carbon emissions, including the council’s 4,217 homes, by 35% by March 2014.

Installing solar photovoltaic panels to generate electricity for the council and tenants could potentially reduce energy bills by up to 50% in some cases, helping to tackle fuel poverty whilst also providing income for the council through the Feed in Tariff.

As part of the Decent Homes programme carried out to date, the council has also upgraded the insulation and energy efficiency in over 760 properties which previously had little or no insulation.

A report will be considered by the council’s Cabinet on Wednesday 14 September, asking for approval to apply for between £18 and £35 million (depending on the size of panels used) through prudential borrowing on an invest-to-save basis to fund the solar panels, which will result in estimated savings of about £270 a year for every tenant and a net income of around £1 million a year for the council.

Another report being presented to Cabinet on the same day relates to plans to improve heating efficiency at schools and other council buildings under the Government’s Renewable Heat Incentive.

The proposal is to replace oil-fired heating systems in around 50 buildings, mostly schools, with a renewable biomass heating system. This will mainly be wood pellet, but might include woodchip for larger buildings. Funding of £2.6 million would come from prudential borrowing on an invest-to-save basis, allowing the council to utilise the Government’s Renewable Heat Incentive.

Estimated figures show the scheme could save the council around £200,000 a year once the new boilers are up and running.

Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for sustainability, Cecilia Motley, said:

“As a council, we are extremely committed to reducing our carbon emissions which is not only good for the environment but makes financial sense. These proposals will improve the efficiency of many of our buildings, saving the council money and also saving money for our council home tenants as well.

“The logistics of each scheme will be worked through carefully, and of course the relevant planning permissions will be applied for where necessary.”