Cambridge City Council has announced its intention to purchase all of its electricity from 100% renewable sources in a push to make the city ‘sustainable’.
As a member of the Eastern Shires Purchasing Organisation (ESPO), the council has been able to secure nine million kWh of Pure Green Energy from Total Gas and Supply.
A spokesperson for the council said Pure Green Energy comes from 100% renewable sources, including solar, wind and hydro/wave energy, and so Cambridge CC will benefit from electricity matched to Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin (REGO).
REGO provides transparency for consumers on the proportion of energy coming from renewable sources.
The extra cost of moving to 100% renewable energy, based on the council’s average energy consumption, will be approximately £1,400 per year.
Cllr Richard Robertson, executive councillor for finance and resources, said: ‘This is a major initiative demonstrating our commitment to a sustainable Cambridge.
‘It fully supports the principles of the council’s recently agreed Climate Change Strategy (2016 – 2021) and Carbon Management Plan, which explain how we will play our part in addressing the causes and consequences of climate change.’
‘We are leading the way in helping to reduce emissions for future generations,’ he added.