City of steel Sheffield is aiming to become the UK's first self-sufficient energy city, Government Minister Chris Huhne announced today.
The Secretary of State for Energy said he endorsed the city's ambitions during a visit of Sheffield College.
During his visit to the area, the minister also visited the University of Sheffield where experts are conducting world-leading research into sustainable energy and solutions for tackling climate change and its impacts.
His visit marks the announcement that Sheffield City Council and leading energy company E.ON are working to form a city-wide partnership that will see Sheffield produce enough renewable energy to become self-sufficient, eventually selling excess energy back into the national grid.
E.ON have been chosen to partner Sheffield City Council in this ambitious new scheme because of its international expertise in developing energy solutions across whole communities while also helping individual customers reduce their energy consumption.
In addition the Secretary of State praised city leaders for bringing forward such an ambitious ground breaking programme. Under the plan Sheffield could become self-sufficient in the next ten years.
In Sheffield, the energy systems are largely from the national grid and reliant on imported fossil fuels. The majority of homes use gas as the main source of heat within central heating systems and transport systems are also almost wholly dependent on oil.
By producing its own renewable energy locally, Sheffield will be more resilient to depleting fossil fuels and the rising costs of energy, while local people should benefit from lower energy bills, reduced carbon emissions and improved air quality.
Chris Huhne, Energy and Climate Change Secretary, said: "Sheffield and E.ON's exciting plans show how low carbon energy can be made to work for local communities as well as help Britain's efforts to get off the oil hook and I'm pleased to be able to back their plans today.
"The work that the University of Sheffield and the Council are doing on low carbon energy and climate change is setting the pace for other towns and cities across the country. I wish Sheffield all the best in its quest to become the UK's first local energy city."
Leader of Sheffield City Council, Councillor Paul Scriven said; "The fact that the Secretary of State is in Sheffield to launch our partnership just goes to show how ground breaking it is.
"This partnership, which is the first of its kind in the UK, will deliver many benefits for local people. Not only will Sheffielders be leading the way in the fight against climate change, but they will see lower energy bills and extra local green jobs created. Together with our partners EON, we are putting Sheffield right at the cutting edge of green action.
Cabinet Member for Climate Change Councillor Andrew Sangar said: "Dealing with climate change is more important that ever. Therefore it's vital that we do all we can to avoid the catastrophic effect increase CO2 levels would have on our daily lives. This partnership is a huge step towards our goal of reduction Sheffield's carbon emissions.
Michael Woodhead, Managing Director of E.ON’s Sustainable Energy business, said: “Everyone – customers, local authorities and energy companies – has a part to play if we are to lower energy use and reduce our effect on the planet.
“Partnerships like this will pave the way for the massive energy efficiency drive that the Secretary of State has called for. If we can work together as a community; if we can build energy efficiency into our everyday lives – homes, businesses, how we travel, how we shop – then we can all become energy fit and really start to make a difference.”
Sheffield City Guide, Sheffield around 1 month ago