Case study detail
Solar PV, Well Being Centre, Illogan
Local Area Agreement support for sustainable energy in Cornwall
Contributed by:
Maria Arnold
Organisation:
SDC
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Cornwall County Council and its partners, working as part of the Cornwall Sustainable Energy Partnership (CSEP), are rejuvenating the county’s sustainable energy economy through the Local Area Agreement (LAA) for Cornwall.
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Overview
 | Supported by CIPFA, the LGA and the IDeA, Financing Local Futures is a web-based resource designed to help those involved in local government financial decision-making to develop their own organisations' contributions to sustainable development. |
Sustainable Development Benefits: Reduction of fuel poverty, reduced CO2 emissions, improved air quality, increased energy security, social rejuvenation, job creation
Mechanism used: Local Area Agreement (LAA)
Economic rewards: £110,000 LAA pump-prime grant, and £780,685 LPSA Reward. If the LAA stretch targets are achieved by 2009 this will result in a further £1m LAA reward.
Case Study:
Cornwall is ring fencing £890,685 for sustainable energy projects within it’s LAA. £110,000 from Central Government as part of it’s pump priming money within it’s LAA and £780,685 LPSA reward grant from Cornwall County Council. The money will be used by to CSEP to deliver a sustainable energy outcome in Cornwall’s 2006-2009 LAA. CSEP is a local cross-sector partnership of 72 organisations committed to creating a sustainable energy future for Cornwall.
The county’s energy economy suffers from being on the periphery of the national grid. In 2005, the china clay company Imerys drastically reduced its operations in the area because of escalating energy costs, axing 800 jobs in the process. Some 98% of Cornwall’s £579m energy bill leaves the local economy to pay for energy created elsewhere. The county has some of the worst fuel poverty levels in the UK.
CSEP will use the LAA and LPSA grants to improve domestic insulation levels, particularly in the most vulnerable homes, and to increase take up of micro-renewables in domestic and community buildings. Sian Hedger, Deputy Group Accountant at the council, recognises the financial potential: “We [Cornwall] have the highest levels of solar gain in the UK and the second highest wave resources. The LAA funding helps us capture some of these resources and develop a stronger, more sustainable economy.”
There has been a phenomenal local response to these initiatives - the programme has already achieved free insulation to 757 homes and 119 (evidenced) micro-renewable installations since April 2006. The LAA places Cornwall firmly at the forefront of the burgeoning UK renewable energy market, attracting employers and investment, whilst engaging in the national drive to cut carbon emissions.
Key features
energy
local government
Key data
Project Team:
Cost:
Local Authority: Cornwall County Council
Links
Cornwall Sustainable Energy Partnership
Cornwall County Council
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