Agenda item

In March 2012, the Environment Select Committee approved the ECO Board’s recommendation to streamline three action plans, covering low carbon transition, renewable energy and affordable warmth, into a single energy resilience plan for Wiltshire.

The draft Energy Resilience Plan was considered by the ECO Board on 22 October 2015. The Environment Select Committee is now invited to comment on the Energy Resilience Plan before it is finalised and published.

A further presentation on the draft Energy Resilience Plan will be received at the meeting.

Louise Woollen, Development Officer, Green Economy, introduced the Energy Resilience Plan. It was explained that stakeholder engagement, including internal and external consultation, had been critical in the development of the Energy Resilience Plan. The Development Officer noted that there were four key action areas and that a detailed action plan was available in the Appendix to the Plan.

It was hoped to publish final document next month following comments.

It was explained that carbon emissions had been gradually reducing both locally and nationally. In addition, more efficient sources of energy had resulted in an overall reduction in the demand for energy.

It was highlighted the main source of carbon emissions in Wiltshire was electricity use in homes and businesses. It was also noted that transport accounted for 40% of emissions but that this was largely due to the size and rural nature of Wiltshire where personal vehicles were necessary for transportation. 

The Development Officer drew attention to fact that Wiltshire was rated third in the South West region in terms of installed renewable electricity and heat capacity. 

Members of the Committee enquired about the impact of the recent government changes to energy subsidies and the likely impact for solar parks. The Development Officer explained that the impact would be difficult to judge and that, although there would likely be a reduction in the installation of new renewable energy sources, other options were being investigated.

The Chairman highlighted that a key issue in Wiltshire was affordable warmth. The Committee raised concerns that a restricting factor was the connection points on the grid and commented that it would be beneficial to have more information about gas points in Wiltshire. The Development Officer explained that the Public Health team was doing some work in this area and that information gathering on this subject was being undertaken in association with the Energy Resilience Plan.

Following questions from the Committee, it was confirmed that there was a programme that installed biomass fuel into Wiltshire schools. At present, about 13 school buildings used biomass and a lot of work had been undertaken to ensure that the biomass had been sourced locally. It was also clarified that fracking was not covered in detail in the Energy Resilience Plan and explained that the Plan focused on the immediate short term.

The Committee expressed the importance of ensuring that the Energy Resilience Plan operated in harmony with all Wiltshire Council Plans, especially the Core Strategy, and the actions and decisions of central government.

Some members expressed concern that local community groups were no longer able to ensure returns on renewable energy projects. It was noted that the Energy Resilience Plan would support renewable energy groups through ongoing partnership work. It was explained that this would likely involve a number of avenues, including an investigation of funding at a European level. It was also noted that a government announcement on an alternative to the Green Deal was anticipated shortly.

It was clarified that the viability of ground source and air source heat was decided at a project level. The Energy Resilience Plan aimed to raise awareness of a number of technologies but to be technology neutral. 

Resolved:

1.    To request an annual report on the Energy Resilience Plan.