COUNTY TAKES FIRST STEPS TOWARDS AN ENERGY STRATEGY
Gloucestershire First has commissioned a specialist energy consultancy to produce the county’s first energy strategy and action plan. Its work will encompass energy efficiency, fossil fuels, renewable energy, environmental impact, continuity of supply and transport.
Launching the conference in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire First managing director Stan Jones told an audience of councillors, business people and renewable energy specialists:
“The main energy companies such as Powergen, Shell and BP all see renewables as a major area for business development. The regional economic strategy suggests this sector could create 12,000 new jobs and generate an extra £260 million for the region’s economy over a ten-year period.
“Gloucestershire needs to ensure that it shares in these benefits. The increasing production of renewable energy can provide a new impetus for rural diversification while at the same time enabling the county to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions.”
Mr Jones said the new strategy would quantify the county’s projected energy needs, ensure the long-term availability of energy supply and seek to secure the backing of policy and decision makers.
Neil Evans of Energy for Sustainable Development Ltd (ESD) said that the South West Regional Development Agency has identified environmental technology as one of the largest growth sectors for the region with renewable energy expected to play a significant role.
Mr Evans (pictured) asked those attending to study several contemporary case studies to help frame the new strategy. They included Littlecombe, the mixed-use regeneration scheme at Dursley, a community wind turbine at Lydney and, in Cheltenham, Zurich’s success in reducing single car journeys to work.
In endorsing the approach outlined by ESD, Mr Jones said: “We need to develop a more comprehensive and widely understood energy strategy that engages the skills and knowledge of partners, agencies and businesses.
“We would like a sustainable energy solution for the people of Gloucestershire and a plan that gives guidance on the future use of energy with clearly-stated policies and realistic options that can be implemented.”
Ends
Issued on behalf of Gloucestershire First by Tony Haynes Eastwood Public Relations tel 01242 253707. 3/11/05.