Agenda item

To update the committee on the draft Energy Strategy for the West of England

Cllr Pearce declared a non-pecuniary interest in relation to this item as a Non-Executive Director at Bristol Energy.

Helen Edelstyn, Strategy and Policy, gave a presentation updating the Committee on the draft Energy Strategy for the West of England.  The Energy Strategy would be submitted to the Joint Committee on 1 February 2019. The Chair of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee would be in attendance at that meeting. 

The Climate Change Act 2008 committed the United Kingdom to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 80% by 2050 as compared to 1990 levels.  Clean growth was at the heart of the Authority’s operating framework and emerging Local
Industrial Strategy.  The Government had committed £50,000 to the Local Enterprise Partnership in order to facilitate the development of a local Energy Strategy.  The aims were as follows:

To provide local leadership and influence:

• towards an integrated, smart, resilient and secure energy system;
• towards greater affordability (to alleviate fuel poverty and increase
  business productivity);
• to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (meeting legally binding national
  targets)

Success would mean cleaner air, lower energy bills, lower emissions and greater
economic security.  The current position in the West of England was very similar to the national situation, with 85% of energy provided from fossil fuel sources, and 15% from clean sources (including nuclear).  However, 70% of energy was used for transport and heat and many local buildings could be more energy efficient.  Although cars were becoming more efficient and producing fewer emissions individually the growth of car use meant that emissions from cars was on the rise.

The Low Carbon sector in the West of England currently employed over 19,000 people,
generating £2.4 billion, more than any other English region.

It was explained that the Energy Strategy set out a direction of travel for energy use in the West of England.  The Joint Committee would be asked to approve the proposed basis of a West of England Energy Strategy at its meeting on 1 February 2019.

Points raised in discussion:

• Members expressed a range of concerns about the strategy document as presented.  It was noted that following the meeting, the Chair (on members’ behalf) would produce a statement setting out these concerns, to be submitted to the Joint Committee.  This statement forms Appendix 1 to these minutes;
• There were a number of comments made about the substance of the strategy, as some members felt it was difficult to scrutinise in its current form, although the work to date had been positive.  As presented, the document was more of a high-level “strategic framework” document and it was felt that this should be recognised Bristol City Council had signed off its targets and these needed to be integrated.  It was noted that the work that had been done to date was a direction of travel that other strategies could work from;
• Three incinerators had recently been built in the Avonmouth area and the plan was that the energy provided would serve 50,000 new homes.  In terms of transport a modal shift would be needed to cut down commuting.  The South West was a windy place but the Bristol Airport did not like new wind turbines being built as these could interfere with its radar systems.  However, the airport, which itself had growth plans, did not count towards emissions as aviation is measured internationally.  However, were the expansion plans approved it would generate more journeys to and from the airport by car.  Helen stated that as the incinerators weren’t functional yet they had not been captured in the figures but would be when they were online.  The wind power was something for the individual local authorities to consider as part of their local plans.
• It was unclear as to what Bristol City Council’s ongoing work on the City Leap prospectus had been factored in. The region should be seeking the highest possible standards in relation to carbon emissions in line with the ambitious targets that have already been set by authorities locally. Helen confirmed this had been included in the evidence gathering and would help with the conclusions;
• In response to a question it was confirmed that in order to meet any requirements it would be necessary to close any skills gaps, such as in the construction field;
• It would be important to support businesses to be more energy efficient and provide a link to the Industrial Strategy;
• A comment was made about the planned petrol/diesel vehicle ban in 2040 (2035 in Scotland).  It was confirmed that this would be taken into account in the projections.  As the document would be covering a long period of time ambitions would likely change over the period.  Local and national ambitions were included;
• It was also noted that 150,000 homes were not on the gas network so renewable heat opportunities could be explored but another challenge would be to get the homes on the gas network off of that network;
• It was questioned how improving our homes would fit into the overall objectives;
• It was asked whether the items could be a regular item on this Committee’s agenda;

The slides were made available on the Authority’s website following the meeting.

It was explained that the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy had asked that a framework be in place by the end of 2018 but had granted an extension to February.  A more detailed action plan document would be developed later.