North East Lincolnshire Council has announced proposals to switch from gas to electric cremators.
The council’s plans to replace Grimsby Crematorium’s current ‘ageing’ cremators with more energy-efficient equipment are expected to cut costs and carbon emissions, as well as assisting the local authority in meeting its 2030 net zero target.
According to the council, electric models have reduced operating costs and do not require temporary cremators during installation, meaning ‘significant’ hire costs are also eliminated.
The cost of the electric cremators would be around £4.7m, compared to the expense of replacing the gas cremators, which is estimated to cost £5.7m to £6.6m, with temporary cremators requiring the council to spend a further £40,000 per week.
Cabinet members are due to meet on February 11 to discuss the proposals, which if approved, would be backed by a £1.5m grant from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme and funding from council borrowing.
The council has confirmed that its crematorium team has visited other local authority areas where electric cremators are operational and believe the models would function well in Grimsby.
In a statement published today, the council said: ‘The current gas cremators at Grimsby Crematorium have come to the end of their lives, with maintenance issues and costs increasing. Failure of one or both cremators would cause significant disruption to the cremation service in the area.’
The new models are planned to be installed in spring next year, subject to approval from cabinet members.
