West Suffolk Council commits to 100 per cent renewable energy electricity supply
A council has signed a new contract to supply 100 per cent of the buildings it owns with electricity from renewable energy sources.
West Suffolk Council signed the two-year contract with Ecotricity which starts from Thursday.
As well as the Council’s offices, the contract includes supply to The Apex, Moyse’s Hall Museum and West Stow Anglo Saxon Village.
It is part of the Council’s ongoing commitment to addressing climate change and will help towards its aim of achieving net-zero emissions by 2030.
Councillor John Griffiths, leader of West Suffolk Council, said: “We are committed to making positive changes to help our environment here in West Suffolk.
"By way of just some examples, we have already invested in one of the largest Council owned solar farms in the country.
"Through our Solar for Business scheme, we are also helping companies and community buildings reduce carbon emissions, save money on energy costs, and generate a small level of income towards public services."
As part of the Council's commitments to being more eco-friendly, they have piloted a scheme whereby street lights are used to charge electric vehicles and have also been encouraging motorists not to leave their engines running while parked.
They have also made commitments elsewhere.
Councillor John Griffiths added: “We have in addition installed renewable heating such as ground source heat pumps at West Stow Anglo Saxon Village and at The Mildenhall Hub, and we encourage residents to make their own homes more energy efficient, supporting them to do this through the Warm Homes Healthy People scheme which includes grants.
“Friends of the Earth named West Suffolk as one of the top areas in the UK for tackling climate change and supporting the environment late last year, but more can always be done which is why on Clean Air Day next Thursday we will be inviting West Suffolk residents to pledge their own actions on how they might make further changes to help improve our environment.
"Watch this space."
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