Published 18 June 2021
West Dunbartonshire Council will use renewable electricity to power its buildings as it works towards becoming net zero by 2045.
The move to green electricity means that instead of using high carbon sources like burning fossil fuels such as coal and natural gas, the energy used to power public buildings will come from sources like solar, wind and hydro power.
The decision to join current energy supplier EDF’s Green Tariff comes at a small initial cost but will further the Council’s commitment to supporting the national transition away from electricity sourced from fossil fuels and encourage a quicker transition towards the national grid being powered completely by renewables. It will also contribute to the Council’s Climate Change Strategy.
Councillor Iain McLaren, Convener of Infrastructure, Regeneration and Economic Development said: “I am delighted to see that the Council is taking action now to ensure that we are doing all we can to respond to the challenges of the Climate Emergency. A big part of this work is making sure that we use energy more efficiently and reduce our dependence on non-renewable fuels.
“This is a big step in the right direction towards achieving our aim to be net zero by 2045.”
The decision, approved by members of the Council’s Performance & Monitoring Review Group last month, follows the launch of the Climate Change Strategy in November last year.
The strategy was created in response to Scotland’s Climate Emergency and Scottish Governments own carbon emission targets, and will be achieved through a number of different practical actions.
The Council has already taken steps reduce its emissions, with a reduction of 26% since 2012-13.
Councillor Diane Docherty, Vice Convener of Infrastructure, Regeneration and Economic Development, added: “Our Climate Change Strategy takes a very close look at how we can make changes and the way we use and provide energy is a very important strand of it.
“This change to our tariff reaffirms our commitment to reducing the Council-wide carbon footprint, and will allow us to continue making progress on tackling climate change locally as well as supporting national and global aims.”
All public sector bodies have energy supply contracts awarded on their behalf through Scottish Procurement.
The change to the tariff will involve a £12,295 charge, which covers payment to EDF for Renewable Energy Guarantee of Origin certificate (REGO) which are required to certify the energy as being green and from renewable electricity.