Agenda item

Report by Assistant Director (Environment and Public Protection).

The Committee is asked to in particular consider:

1.   Delivery of the aims and actions outlined in the Energy Strategy and particularly their alignment with, and contribution to, County Council objectives around decarbonisation, financial resilience and green skills.

2.   Whether any changes in the societal/economic (cost of energy) context since adoption of the Energy Strategy might merit revisions to the Strategy or the proposed sequencing of action.

46.1     The Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change, Cllr Urquhart, introduced the report which updated on activities over the past year and ambitions going forward.  The biggest constraint for the County Council, and others nationally, was capacity on the electricity grid.  The long time-span and the cost to get connections was making projects unviable.  The County Council, along with the Local Government Association, County Councils Network and other organisations, had been lobbying Government for at least a year and the Skidmore Net Zero independent review had highlighted this as a key issue for the country as it tries to move towards net zero.  It was hoped that the Government would respond soon.

46.2     Members of the Committee asked questions and a summary of those questions and answers follows.

46.3     The use of large-scale onshore wind and tidal energy was not a suitable option for the County Council. To work best on land, wind turbines would have to be located on high ground, much of which falls in the South Downs National Park and that would most likely be difficult to achieve.  The current Government moratorium on onshore windfarms was limiting options although the Rampion offshore wind farm was looking to expand.

46.4     Income generated from the Solar Together project was put into a fund for emergency fuel vouchers which were distributed by Citizen’s Advice to residents facing a financial crisis.  District and borough councils were involved in retrofitting some of their social housing to help households and under the Warmer Homes Scheme households could apply for funded energy efficiency improvements.

46.5     Carbon offsetting would be a last resort for the County Council. The County Council wanted to make a genuine difference by focussing on reducing its emissions rather than simply offsetting its carbon footprint. Primarily work planned is to offset the authority’s own emissions.

46.6     Good practice was being shared from the Local Energy Community scheme at Manor Royal BID with other areas and the County Council had been approached by a business association in Burgess Hill.

46.7     As mentioned by the Cabinet Member, the availability of National Grid capacity to enable future connections was the biggest challenge ahead and could hinder the development of future plans.  The Government was looking to local authorities to produce evidence which could be presented to OFGEM to inform the network operators business cases for improvements to the grid.

46.8     The County Council was grappling with a growing list of options for the use of land, whether it be for sale, development, energy production, nature recovery or other opportunities.  A clear strategy would assist with decision making.  A member questioned whether the County Council should be looking at any significant land disposals given the lack of clarity over where priorities laid.  The Cabinet Member said she would welcome a recommendation from the Committee around developing a strategic approach for this.

46.9     Officers reported that the supply chain for Lithium batteries had been affected by price increases and long lead in times (all batteries were imported) with up front deposits to secure manufacturing slots.  This could affect planned works.

46.10  Resolved – That the Committee:

1.   Thanks officers for the informative and interesting report.

2.   Acknowledges officer remarks about the complexity of energy resourcing, prices, etc, going forward.

3.   Congratulates officers securing Government funding towards projects.

4.   Welcomes the help being given to residents who face difficulties with energy bills at this time.

5.   Acknowledges that it is for the County Council to decide what will be the best use for its land whether it be for energy, development or nature and wildlife and noted that a strategic approach to this would be helpful.

6.   Notes the comments about difficulties with capacity of the National Grid and gaining access.

7.   Acknowledges that increasing costs and supply chain issues in the provision of batteries from overseas were impacting projects.