Costs of renewable energy project set out
HALTON Council looks set to spend £250,000 on consultants to support a £10million renewable energy project.
The borough’s ruling executive board meets on Thursday where it is recommended to approve spending the cash on technical consultants to support the creation of a new ‘smart micro grid’ in Widnes.
The micro grid would harness energy from solar panels and heat pumps, directing the power to council buildings including the municipal building on Kingsway, Lowerhoue Lane depot and the new leisure centre on Moor Lane.
It follows the construction of the solar farm on the former St Michael’s Golf Course which provides power to the DCBL Stadium.
The new project would see the existing solar farm expanded, with its output almost tripling from 1mw to 2.95MW. Rooftop solar panels and heat pumps would be installed on council buildings. There would also be storage batteries constructed and electric vehicle charging infrastructure to enable the electrification of the council’s fleet.
Scottish Power has previously quoted £10.6million for the project, with the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority indicating it would contribute £2.5million, with Halton Council having to make up the rest. However, a report to the board said those costs may have risen since the initial quote.
The report added that the next step was to appoint consultants to support the project. Their role would include seeking planning permission and developing the required documentation to allow tenders to be invited for a design, build and maintenance contract.
A report to the board said council buildings would use 67% of the energy generated by the grid, and that income received from surplus electricity would eventually pay back the council’s outlay then create a surplus of £298,000 over 30 years.
It added: “Nationally, the Government has set a target for the UK to reduce its carbon emissions to 57% below 1990 levels.
“The council also set its own reduction targets and these are currently being met and has also recently declared a climate emergency, which calls for the council to produce and use more renewable energy in its buildings.
“This scheme will help contribute to further reductions and support the council’s ambitions.”