Environmental campaigners are calling for South Gloucestershire Council to set up a “revolving green energy fund” to use income generated from renewable energy installations to fund further green projects.

Like householders, on top of the savings in fuel bills local authorities can earn money for any renewable energy they produce in the form of the “Feed in Tariff” or FIT. The campaigners would like to see this money re-invested in further green energy installations, not only on Council property but also on other buildings.

Marshfield resident Karen Wilkinson said, “At a time when local authorities and households are facing reduced income and an 18% rise in energy costs, the advantages to putting in measures to increase income and decrease costs are glaringly self-evident. Neighbouring Bristol, for example, is creating a new income stream for the Council by installing solar panels and biomass boilers. This is just one of a long list of projects they outlined last September to cut their energy bills and stimulate the local economy. In comparison, I could find no mention on South Gloucestershire Council’s website of exciting projects to generate income in this way or to help residents and local organisations do likewise.”

At Wednesday’s South Gloucestershire Council meeting, the Lib Dem Communities spokesperson Claire Young called on the Council to set up a revolving green energy fund. Speaking afterwards she said, “Aside from the obvious environmental benefits, this is a chance to boost the local economy and help people in fuel poverty. At a time when budgets are under pressure, the Feed in Tariff is a reliable income stream for the Council. By reinvesting the money in further green energy projects you multiply the long term savings. This area desperately needs a workforce skilled in the new, green technologies, and by helping to create one the Council can create new jobs and provide work for local businesses.”

“There is no reason why the Council should limit itself to its own buildings. There are already companies out there that will install solar panels on your roof for no upfront payment, instead taking the FIT payments as payback, while you enjoy the fuel bill savings. Once you have a skilled workforce, why not offer its services to Merlin Housing Society, to the leisure trust, to schools, to private home owners and to businesses? This is a great opportunity to help local people and organisations who are suffering from the massive hikes in energy prices. As well as solar panels, you could look at other technologies like ground source heat pumps, which could be particularly beneficial in rural areas without mains gas.”

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