A ‘value for money’ contract that is delivering savings of £200,000 a year on energy costs and helping to meet a carbon neutral by 2025 target is set to be renewed.

Teignbridge District Council’s executive on Tuesday unanimously agreed to renew the procurement of their gas and electricity through LASER Energy Ltd, but they challenged them to increase the proportion of renewal energy they provide ahead of the National Grid average.

Councillors heard that the savings on energy bills were around £200,000 a year and that while the council was trying to reduce gas and electricity usage in their bid to be carbon neutral by 2025, the savings are considerable while they still are using gas.

Cllr Jackie Hook, portfolio holder for climate change, told Tuesday’s meeting, held virtually via Zoom, the existing contract which runs out in September provides good value for money and in the difficult financial times, there is an onus for the council to save money which can be used on other climate change measures.

She added that the council were looking at ways to reduce their energy usage, such as green solutions for the HQ at Forde House, and following the temporary measures introduced as a result of the coronavirus outbreak that required people to work from home, looking at substantially changing the way the council works to reduce the carbon footprint.

William Elliott, the council’s climate change officer, added that the council could have undertaken a full procurement process but it would have used officer time and could have led to increase energy costs. He added that while they did consider alternative energy suppliers, due to the broad range of meter types the council has, they were unable to provide a full tariff and the costs of multiple providers would have been prohibitive.

William Elliott is greeted by TDC’s Climate Change Champion, Cllr Jackie Hook.

“Renewing this means we can meet the climate emergency and we will be looking at an action plan to reduce emissions in all areas we can,” he added.

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Speaking on the council’s 2025 carbon neutral target, Cllr Hook said that the ambition to meet that remains the same. She added: “It was and is an ambitious target and we recognise that. Lockdown life has seen low carbon emissions and we are capturing the aspects of that in a green recovery plan.

“We are massive energy users but the best thing we can do is to reduce the use, but while we have to use them, the savings of this are considerable. We cannot dismiss that sort of savings.”

Cllr Jackie Hook
Cllr Jackie Hook

Leader of the council, Cllr Gordon Hook, added: “We are ambitious and 2025 was always going to be challenging and remains challenging. If we shoot at the sun and hit the moon, and miss it but hit it in 2026 or 2027, then that is still a lot better than aiming for 2035.

“To turn our back on that sort of saving this makes would be irresponsible, particularly when they could be used for other energy efficient measures. Particularly in these hideously cash strapped times, it would be fundamentally irresponsible I would have thought.”

Cllr Alistair Dewhirst added: “This is good for the planet, good for Teignbridge, and good for the council. It is absolutely brilliant.”

The executive unanimously agreed to renew the LASER framework which will insulate the council from energy price escalation, ensure the council receives value for money on gas and electricity expenditure and will prevent any increase in council administration resources.

The executive also agreed to submit a letter of intent to participate in the Devon Energy Collective, which is a significant opportunity to offset carbon emissions from electricity consumption, which will support the council’s objective of becoming carbon neutral by 2025.