A proposal to develop the York Local Area Energy Plan will be brought to Executive Member for Environment and Climate Change Decision Session next week (9 March).
The proposal recommends that £110,000 be allocated to commission the work, to enable robust decision making for the future of York’s energy infrastructure, supporting the cities transition to net zero carbon.
Developing this plan for York, will provide an optimised, cost-effective and evidence-based energy pathway that brings the ambition of a net zero carbon York by 2030 closer, by providing a technically viable plan for decarbonising our city-wide energy system.
A Local Area Energy Plan would consider factors such as current carbon emissions from buildings and transport, as well as future energy changes from large developments alongside switches to renewable energy. In addition, the plan would measure and consider the social impact of energy changes such as the cost of switching to renewable sources and any potential disruption from infrastructure changes along with actions such as retrofitting homes.
The proposed city wide energy plan will provide a pipeline for investment in local and regional energy infrastructure that delivers zero carbon at lowest possible cost, supporting increased uptake of renewable generation and improving network resilience.
Cllr Paula Widdowson, Executive Member for Environment and Climate Change, said: “York has an ambitious target to be carbon net-zero by 2030. We know that in surveys taken through Our Big Conversation last year that over 80% of respondents agree with this goal.
“However, delivering a reduction in carbon emissions must take into account the impact this will have on residents and businesses. I want to ensure that the steps we take deliver value for money and an overall positive impact on the lives and livelihoods of people in York.
“Local Area Energy Planning is a critical enabler to decarbonisation, highlighting new opportunities for future plans across the city.
“I look forward to considering the proposal at my next decision session to consider how we can continue to build a greener, cleaner city here in York.”
