Northamptonshire's £12m green energy deals boosts bid to make council climate neutral by 2030

Northamptonshire County Council has signed two green energy deals worth £12million.

The four-year contracts with energy buying group Laser cover all council buildings and street lighting and are a major step towards making the county climate neutral by 2030.

Clrr Jason Smithers says the move will save the council money and result in zero carbon emissions from its property and street lighting.

Cllr Smithers, county council cabinet member for highways and place, said: “Climate change is a major crisis — not just for the county — but globally too, and it’s essential that we do what we can to address it.

“I am thrilled that we have been able to secure these new gas and electricity contracts and show our commitment to using sustainable energy and reducing carbon emissions.

"This is about planning for our future and working together to make the county carbon neutral within the next ten years. These new contracts will also save us money”

Northamptonshire has reduced its carbon emissions – a principal cause of climate change – by 72 per cent over the last ten years, mainly through action to reduce energy usage in its assets.

Around 600 smart meters have been installed in council premises.

Measures are also underway to reduce transport emissions, including the Smart Move Northamptonshire initiative which helps raise awareness of, and support for, greener modes of travel. This includes promoting active travel and e-bikes and introducing on-street charging points for Ultra Low Emission Vehicles (ULEVs).

The council has also sought approval to extend the scope of the green energy contract to include other public sector bodies and trusts within the county, including health care providers, Police, leisure trusts and care homes, as well as local district and borough councils.

Laser was founded in 1989 and is the largest local authority energy buying group in the UK. Laser has been purchasing energy flexibly since 2008, acting on behalf of over 115 individual local authorities and 45 other public sector bodies, with contracts worth over £350m per annum — equivalent to around 1.7 per cent of the UK’s non-domestic energy demand.