Warwickshire News Mine

Warwickshire Climate Change Partnership is to look at `Security of Supply – Energy in Warwickshire’ on Thursday, April 26, at Warwickshire County Council’s Shire Hall in Warwick.

Security of Supply looks at many areas including developing new ways to create energy; renewable energy generation; being efficient with energy; and looking ahead to new technologies.

Energy prices in Warwickshire have increased massively in the last couple of years. Between 2003 and 2006 the cost of electricity rose by 39 per cent, while the cost of gas rose by 61 per cent, putting pressure on households, businesses and local authorities to meet the rising costs.

This is coupled with increased demands to reduce energy consumption to help protect the environment and slow climate change. The seminar will present delegates with the actions being taken by organisations such as Warwickshire County Council in facing the Security of Supply issue.

Warwickshire County Council has a key role to play in energy issues and it has already been involved in promoting a range of strategies, policies and initiatives. Examples include:

1. Energy Policy for WCC Properties (Adopted 2001).
2. Identifying a corporate carbon reduction target in Carbon Management Action Plan, with the Carbon Trust.
3. Involvement in the Regional Energy Strategy Security of Supply working group.
4. Input to the UKCIP, LGA and IDeA document “Climate Change and local communities - How prepared are you?
5. Construction of the Eliot Park Innovation Centre. This has the largest PV installation in the West Midlands and has won at least 7 awards related to sustainable construction. 
6. Visits to existing sustainable energy installations.
7. Pooley Fields – Power to the Visitor Centre is supplied from a "hybrid" system of wind and solar energy (backed up by the National Grid). A 6.5 kW "whisper" wind generator and 10 x 710 W photovoltaic panels provide much of the power needed to run the Centre. Rainwater is collected from the roof of the building, stored in an underground 20,000 litre tank, and subsequently used to flush the toilets in the Visitor Centre. The Gents toilet has a waterless system. Mains water is conserved for necessities such as drinking and hand washing. The Centre operates a "nil to landfill" waste policy, and the recycling practice reflects this.
8. Stratford Girls Grammar School – solar thermal panels installed.
9. Bridgeway Social Education Centre - solar thermal panels installed.
10. Signing of the Nottingham Declaration in 2005.
11. Climate Change Strategy launched July 2006.
12. Climate Change Action Plan developed (over 35 actions for first two years) with partners 2006.
13. Switch it Off campaign – October / November 2006.
14. Construction Standards prepared by Resources Directorate.
15. Biomass Heating Feasibility Studies and Development of a wood fuel supply chain. Establishment of a biomass heating support group and progressing Kingsbury Water Park.
16. Supporter of Warwick Wind Trails
17. County Wind Resource Assessment
18. Strategy Audit – identification of those strategies / policies / plans that need to incorporate climate change.
19. Publication of :
a. Warwickshire Energy Statistics – baseline 2003
b. 10% Renewable Energy Scenarios Report
c. Climate Change Adaptation Report
20. Appointment of a Member as Climate Change Champion (Cllr Gordon Collett)
21. Procurement of 100% green energy for its street-lighting and 94% for properties.
22. Development of guidance of what to consider before capital investment in commercial renewable energy systems.
23. Development of an energy and carbon hierarchy for Warwickshire
25. Talks / seminars on climate change and the Warwickshire Climate Change Strategy to a variety of staff, community and professional groups.
26. The development of a questionnaire to gather data on public opinion on climate change.

The county council is also considering a number of future initiatives. These include:

1. Investment in energy efficiency, renewable energy and SMART metering through the various streams of the Carbon Trust Salix / Sustainable Development Fund.
2. Its approach to meeting the forthcoming requirements under the European Directive on the Energy Performance of Buildings.
3. Moving towards BREEAM excellent in new build projects including whole life costing and post-occupancy evaluations.
4. Inclusion of Climate Change in the new Local Area Agreement (10 - 15% - Merton Rule) and a similar policy for it’s own estate.
5. Participation in the Carbon Trust – Partnerships for Renewables scheme or similar.
6. Development and promotion of an adaptation / mitigation offset scheme with local charity Practical Action.
7. Celebration / events to celebrate the first anniversary of Warwickshire’s Climate Change Strategy.

Cllr Martin Heatley, Warwickshire County Council’s Portfolio Holder for the Environment, said: “At the seminar we will be debating many issues, including energy issues in the wider context of climate change; the importance of recognising climate change and its impact on local communities; and the importance of addressing the energy needs of rural communities.

“Here in Warwickshire we are not burying our heads in the sand and we are taking action today, and looking to the future with innovation.”

Link to WCC