Council puts energy into greener future

Published Tuesday 2 July 2019

Moves to secure a new electricity supplier which could see a further reduction in the Council’s carbon footprint has been welcomed.

Harborough District Council’s Cabinet agreed that the Council should sign a new contract with Total Gas & Power Limited, to supply electricity for the Council from 1 October 2020. And with effect from 1 October 2019, the Council will be switching to use ‘green energy’ supplies.

‘Green energy’ products offer affordable, reliable and clean energy from 100 per cent renewable sources: solar, wind and hydro/wave.

Earlier this month, Harborough District Council declared a ‘Climate Change Emergency’ with the aim of being ‘carbon neutral by 2030’, whilst back in 2015, the Council adopted a Climate Local Action Plan which has contributed to a reduction in its carbon emissions by approximately a third over the past decade.

Council Leader Phil King said: “As well as getting value for money with this contract, the potential environmental benefits of this are clear and could build on our success in recent years of reducing our carbon emissions.”

Total Gas & Power Limited also supports a number of initiatives to benefit communities, including collaboration with the Young People's Trust for the Environment (YPTE) to promote environmental learning and project work in schools.

The new contract was secured through the ESPO Framework which helps public sector organisations achieve best value for money through procurement.