REVIEW OF ENERGY AND WATER PERFORMANCE

1. The Leader has approved allocating £155,000 per annum from the Capital Repairs budget with effect from 2003/04 to address energy and water consumption measures; the purchase of "green" electricity being reviewed in accordance with corporate targets, cost and availability, and further research being completed into other renewable energy sources.

2. The Corporate Sustainable Development Strategy (CSDS), launched in February 2001 set a range of targets associated with a reduction in overall energy use (electricity, gas and oil), carbon dioxide emissions and water consumption. Usage associated with these key areas has been monitored over the last two years and a reduction in most areas has been achieved through a combination of initiatives including raising awareness, "good housekeeping" and a range of property management initiatives, e.g. replacement of ballard heaters. Initiatives have been approved to enable further reductions in energy use and carbon dioxide emissions in future years including the installation of modern heating controls and the conversion from oil to gas fired plants.

3. The CSDS also set targets associated with the use of energy from a sustainable source. It has not been possible to make any significant progress in meeting these targets as many of the large contracts to supply energy pre-date the CSDS. A small contract was recently awarded for the supply of electricity exempt from the Climate Change Levy (electricity produced by means of more environmentally friendly processes) although this does not count towards the target for energy from renewable sources. There is also availability and cost implications associated with the purchase of green electricity which will need to be addressed. The bulk of the County Council's energy contracts are due for renewal in 2003 and consideration will be given at that time to purchasing energy from renewable sources.

4. Investigations are on-going into the use of other forms of renewable energy (wood-fired plant, solar energy and wind energy) but early indications are that they will require significant levels of funding to make them viable. Further research will continue and be the subject of a future report to the Executive Member for Policy and Resources.

5. A copy of the report presented to the Leader at his Executive Member for Policy and Resources meeting on 6 November 2002 is available in the Members' Room and electronically in Hantsweb.

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