Energy | LocalGov


London schools to benefit from energy efficiency measures 15/04/2025 Thirty-eight schools in London are set to benefit from £2.9m of City Hall funding to help them become more energy efficient, according to the Mayor of London.
Heat pump adoption ‘miles off track’ 09/04/2025 Poorer areas in Britain are less than half as likely to see heat pumps installed than in richer places, think tank says.
Council switches off street lights in energy-saving pilot 03/04/2025 East Riding of Yorkshire Council has alerted drivers that they will be switching off street lights along two main roads as part of an energy-saving pilot.
Great British Energy announces £10m for metro mayors 24/03/2025 Metro mayors are set to benefit from a £10m funding boost from Great British Energy aimed at supporting the delivery of new clean energy projects.
Council power outage ‘once in a lifetime event’ 18/03/2025 A power outage that has affected Nottingham City Council’s core IT systems and phonelines since last Thursday was caused by a ‘once in a lifetime event.’
Why councils need to get on the front foot with heat network regulation 17/03/2025 Government plans for heat network regulation will transform the sector. Simon Green, MD at GEM Environmental Building Services, urges councils to get ready.
Rooftop solar panels could cut energy bills by a quarter, report finds 12/02/2025 Rooftop solar panels could cut poorer households’ energy bills by almost a quarter, new research has found.
Council green lights UK’s biggest battery site 30/01/2025 City of Doncaster Council has granted planning permission for what is billed to be the UK’s biggest battery site.
Ofgem praises solar scheme for social housing 10/12/2024 Council estate residents in Hackney will be able to buy discounted energy from new solar panels on their buildings from next year.
North Lincs offers pensioners free air fryers 04/12/2024 North Lincolnshire Council will use funding from the household support fund to offer pensioners a free air fryer.
Unlocking the benefits of low carbon leisure centres 03/12/2024 Steve Wilkinson, director of energy performance contracts at Cenergist, explores how councils can navigate decarbonisation strategies for leisure centres.
Manchester signs 15-year solar energy deal 28/11/2024 Manchester City Council has signed a ‘milestone’ 15-year renewable energy agreement.
Oil firm continues production despite Supreme Court ruling 28/10/2024 Surrey County Council is considering enforcement action against an oil company that is operating two wells in the county, despite a Supreme Court ruling.
An alternative to Winter Fuel Payments 08/10/2024 Alex Clegg, economist at the Resolution Foundation, sets out a possible alternative to Winter Fuel Payments.
Nearly eight million families at risk of ‘fuel stress’ 30/09/2024 A think tank has urged the Government to support vulnerable people who are no longer eligible for winter fuel payments, warning that millions are at risk.
LGA calls for devolution of retrofit funding 30/09/2024 The Local Government Association (LGA) has urged the Government to use the Autumn Budget to devolve all funding for retrofitting social and fuel poor homes to councils.
Further devolution needed to drive energy efficiency measures 25/09/2024 Devolution of funding is needed so that mayoral combined authorities can take the lead in delivering energy efficiency upgrades to homes, a new report says.
Labour sets new council house energy efficiency target 24/09/2024 The Government has announced plans to raise energy efficiency rules for council and social housing.
South Yorkshire mayor welcomes £1.5bn nuclear factory decision 20/09/2024 The mayor of South Yorkshire has welcomed the news that South Yorkshire is set to become the new home of a planned £1.5bn Small Modular Reactor (SMR) factory.
Government urged to reverse fuel payment cuts 20/09/2024 Councillors in Stockton have backed a motion urging the Government to reverse its ‘deeply unfair’ decision to stop providing the Winter Fuel Payment to millions of pensioners.
The future of heating 27/08/2024 Joe Dart, Head of Content for Plumbing and Heating Exhibition (PHEX), provides an overview of the options for the future of heating as we aim for net zero.
Row over collapse of legal action 22/08/2024 Proposed legal action over the Government granting planning permission for a large-scale solar farm has collapsed, provoking an angry reaction from two councils.
Councils to take legal action over solar farm permission 08/08/2024 Suffolk County Council has initiated legal proceedings in a bid to secure more funding after the new Government approved a large-scale solar farm.
Call for clarity on decarbonising buildings 25/07/2024 The Government’s net zero and economic growth ambitions could be ‘derailed by a lack of clarity’ on decarbonising older buildings, a report has argued.
Buildings upgraded in £8m energy efficiency scheme 24/07/2024 The first phase of an £8.2m programme to reduce the carbon footprint of West Sussex County Council’s buildings has been completed.
Government pulls defence of Cumbria coal mine 12/07/2024 The Government will no longer defend legal challenges of the planning permission it granted for a new coal mine in Cumbria.
Fixing the broken retrofit system 10/07/2024 Ian Preston, Centre for Sustainable Energy, argues the retrofit system is broken and offers lessons for the Local Authority Retrofit Scheme.
Two-thirds of renewables projects fail to pass planning stage 25/06/2024 Almost two-thirds of applications for renewable energy projects failed to make it through the planning process in the past five years, research has revealed.
Norfolk opposes 184km pylon scheme 14/06/2024 Councillors in Norfolk have objected to a National Grid proposal to construct an electricity transmission line across three counties.
Labour manifesto pledges Right to Buy curbs 13/06/2024 Labour has opened the door to reining in Right to Buy in its manifesto, published today.
Newport's Historic Town Bridge Lighting Restored with Energy-Efficient LED Upgrade 06/06/2024 Acrospire collaborate with Centregreat and Newport City Council to upgrade the iconic town bridge lighting to LED, delivering 61% energy savings while preserving its historic charm.
Vent-Axia Launches its Next Generation Revive Fan Offering Social Housing Greater Efficiency 03/06/2024 Leading ventilation manufacturer Vent-Axia has launched its new Lo-Carbon Revive 7 fan raising the bar on energy efficiency for social housing providers.
Councils risk falling foul of new heat network laws 21/05/2024 Anthony Coates-Smith, Managing Director of Insite Energy, a heat network metering & billing agent, highlights important changes in heat network regulation.
Councils urged not to approve solar farms on farmland 15/05/2024 The Government is set today to warn councils that they should not grant planning permission for solar farms on high-quality farmland unless ‘necessary’.
Sandringham to go solar 17/04/2024 Planning documents submitted to the Borough Council of King's Lynn & West Norfolk have revealed King Charles's plans for a solar farm at Sandringham.
Planning permission for large solar farm refused 21/03/2024 The Government has turned down plans to build a large solar farm in rural Northamptonshire.
Acrospire Unveils 'Solar HonestyTM' Initiative 20/03/2024 British lighting manufacturer Acrospire is proud to announce the launch of its groundbreaking 'Solar HonestyTM' initiative.
Vent-Axia's Heat Recovery Retrofit Solution is the perfect fit for Almond HA 05/03/2024 When Almond HA was looking for energy efficient upgrades of ventilation in its West Lothian properties, it chose Vent-Axia's Heat Recovery Retrofit Solution.
£3bn boost to affordable homes fund 12/02/2024 An additional £3bn is now available to build and improve affordable housing in England.
Old mines in West of England could be used to heat homes 26/01/2024 The West of England Combined Authority (WECA) has thrown its weight behind a £1.6m study to investigate the use of heat from flooded mine shafts to heat homes, schools, hospitals and other buildings.
Care providers closing due to ‘perilous’ environment 16/01/2024 Social care services are facing a situation that is ‘more perilous than ever’ with 43% of providers closing services or handing back contracts, study reveals.
West Midlands pilots £24m energy support scheme 16/01/2024 Small businesses across the West Midlands are being offered support to cut their gas and electricity usage.
Heat pumps plan to be scrapped over costs 02/01/2024 Salford City Council is set to withdraw plans to install air source heat pumps at its town hall due to the cost of the project.
£6bn allocated for energy efficiency schemes 18/12/2023 The Government has revealed how it plans to spend £6bn improving the UK’s energy efficiency.
Tidal barrage could be new Wirral-Liverpool link 30/11/2023 A tidal barrage across the Mersey could provide a new link between Wirral and Liverpool, according to a report.
Vent-Axia Sets a New Standard in Commercial Heat Recovery with the Launch of the Award-Winning Sentinel Apex 15/11/2023 Vent-Axia has launched the next generation of commercial heat recovery ventilation with the Sentinel Apex.
Councils sign cross border partnership 13/11/2023 Two English councils, Herefordshire and Shropshire, and two Welsh county councils, Monmouthshire and Powys, have signed a partnership agreement.
£20m boost for leisure centres 06/11/2023 The Government has awarded local authorities a share of £20m to help support swimming pools and leisure centres most at risk of closure or significant service reduction.
Commission calls for £30bn public infrastructure investment 18/10/2023 Government should invest £30bn a year into public infrastructure to level up struggling areas and tackle climate change, says infrastructure commission.
Poll reveals Brits are green YIMBYs 16/10/2023 Brits are twice as likely (66%) to say 'yes' to new local developments if they are green projects than if they are non-green developments (33%), poll reveals.
Local authority pension schemes invest £330m in renewables 13/10/2023 Six local authority pension schemes have agreed a multi-million-pound deal to invest in renewables projects in the southwest.
Thousand pools shut since 2010 05/10/2023 More than 1,000 publicly accessible pools have closed since 2010, England’s governing body for swimming has found.
Triple Award Shortlisting Shows Vent-Axia’s Commitment to a Lo-Carbon Future 02/10/2023 The H&V News Awards has shortlisted leading British ventilation manufacturer, Vent-Axia, within two categories in its 2023 awards.
Few councils' homes meeting energy efficiency target 25/09/2023 New figures have revealed just 18 councils have energy efficient housing stock, laying bare the challenge of tackling the climate emergency.
‘Landmark’ green energy network gains pace in Bradford 18/09/2023 Plans have progressed for a district heat network in Bradford, which developers say will be the largest of its kind in the UK.
Pubs 'vanishing' at alarming rate as closures jump 50% 18/09/2023 The number of pubs that have been demolished or converted into other types of use has risen dramatically, with over 380 ‘vanishing’ this year.
Wales to consider funding bids straddling English border 11/09/2023 Wales’ economy minister has said he would consider funding bids from a new council partnership that crosses the Welsh and English border.
Mayors call for Northern ‘New Deal’ 11/09/2023 Mayors and business leaders are set to urge the main political parties to put the North of England at the heart of their 2024 general election manifestos.
More local wind powers under relaxed rules 06/09/2023 The Government has amended planning policy, giving English regions more routes to put forward onshore wind projects.
Welsh and English councils announce new partnership 30/08/2023 Councils on either side of the border between Wales and England are set to join a partnership in a bid to seek Government funding.
Councils face £5bn deficit 21/08/2023 Local authorities are facing a £5.2bn deficit by April 2026 even after they have made £2.5bn of planned cuts, new research has revealed.
Housing associations call for more energy bill support 14/08/2023 Thirty-four of the country’s leading housing associations have called for more targeted support to help millions of people with energy bills this winter.
North East to benefit from £8m hydrogen investment 02/08/2023 The North East is set to benefit from an £8m investment into the Tees Valley to support hydrogen-powered transport.
Dover District Council, LEDs Ltd and CU Phosco Lighting Partner to Create Safer, Greener Streets 24/07/2023 CU Phosco Lighting has announced its participation in a major project to upgrade Dover District Council’s street lighting system.
Acrospire Helps Vale of Glamorgan Council Reduce Carbon Footprint with Energy-Efficient Heritage Lighting 24/07/2023 Exterior lighting specialists Acrospire helped the Vale of Glamorgan Council reduce its carbon footprint by 7.32 tonnes annually with heritage lighting.
Westminster unveils ‘trailblazing’ fleet electrification 20/07/2023 Westminster City Council and Veolia are rolling out the UK’s largest electric refuse collection fleet, with vehicles powered by the waste they collect.
More than 1,250 clean energy projects await construction 12/07/2023 There are 1,262 clean energy schemes that are awaiting construction despite having planning permission, the LGA has said.
MPs call for research into green energy from coal pits 12/06/2023 MPs have called for an investigation on whether water in former coal pits could be used to provide green energy.
Revolutionising ground source heat pump deployment at scale 05/06/2023 Driving Energy Efficiency: The success story of Kensa Utilities' Heat the Streets project.
Delivering on the local net zero promise 05/06/2023 Ahead of today’s Parliamentary debate on local government and net zero, Patrick Hargreaves, UK100 reflects on the obstacles to reducing carbon emissions.
Skilled worker shortage undermining net zero drive 01/06/2023 A skilled worker shortage means that at the current rate of heat pump and insulation installation it could take ‘several hundred years’ to meet net zero.
Rooftop solar panels should be fitted as standard, charity says 23/05/2023 The majority of the solar panels required to reach the Government’s net zero targets could be fitted on rooftops and car parks, campaigners say.
Plans for 100 Passivhaus apartments submitted to Salford CC 22/05/2023 Plans have been submitted to Salford City Council for a new development of 100 ‘high-quality, affordable and sustainable’ apartments.
Rising food bills to hit poorest harder than energy costs 19/05/2023 The rising cost of food will soon overtake the price of energy, hitting poorer households hardest, campaigners have warned.
Council chiefs call for local approach to energy efficiency 18/05/2023 Council leaders are calling for a new approach to energy efficiency as the latest figures show a big drop in the number of homes being insulated.
Durham incinerator decision delayed again 27/04/2023 A decision on plans for a waste incinerator in County Durham has been delayed for a further two months.
Energy Efficient High Mast Lighting for UK City of Culture 25/04/2023 CU Phosco work with Balfour Beatty to replace Coventry’s high mast lighting, saving 30% energy with a payback period of less than four years.
Planning system 'holding back' major infrastructure projects 19/04/2023 The planning system is holding back the building of major infrastructure projects, according to a new Government-commissioned report.
Gas boiler ban risks increase in fuel poverty 18/04/2023 A proposed ban on gas central heating boilers would push many people in the countryside into fuel poverty, according to industry figures.
Councils urged to tackle carbon emissions from private housing 17/04/2023 The majority of councils have set carbon reduction targets to tackle climate change but less than half have considered emissions from private housing.
Labour pledges to revitalise high streets 12/04/2023 Labour will today promote its plan to revitalise ailing high streets through a £700m fund to help small businesses with soaring energy bills.
Milton Keynes City Council offsets rising energy prices with Telensa smart street lighting 11/04/2023 Milton Keynes CC forecasts that Telensa smart street lighting will deliver annual energy savings of over 60% and carbon savings equivalent to five million kWh.
Going Green with Ground Source Heat Pumps 04/04/2023 How social housing providers are reducing carbon emissions with ground source heat pumps.
Council seeks legal advice after minister green lights solar farm 29/03/2023 Telford & Wrekin Council is taking ‘urgent legal advice’ over the Government’s decision to allow a new solar farm to go-ahead despite local opposition.
Opening the doors to digital in Dorset 24/03/2023 Steven March, Housing Standards, Dorset County Council explains how the local authority improved the energy efficiency levels in properties across the county.
‘Horrendous’ energy costs threaten third of care homes 24/03/2023 One third of care homes in England have considered closing over the past year because of ‘horrendous’ running costs.
Social housing providers awarded £1.4bn for energy upgrades 22/03/2023 Local authorities, providers of social housing and charities have been awarded £1.4bn to help provide energy efficiency upgrades to low income houses.
Local health chiefs warn of ‘second health emergency’ 21/03/2023 The increase in costs of essential food items and energy has created a ‘second health emergency’ after the COVID pandemic, local health chiefs have warned.
Leicester council to install solar array the size of 18 tennis courts 16/03/2023 Leicester City Council is set to install a series of solar panels the size of 18 tennis courts at a council-run sport and leisure centre.
Budget 2023: Over £60m swimming pool fund confirmed 15/03/2023 Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has confirmed a multi-million-pound package to support publicly-owned leisure centres with pools.
Publicly-owned leisure centres with pools to receive £63m 14/03/2023 Local leisure centres with swimming pools are set to receive a multi-million-pound boost tomorrow to help them with rising energy bills and maintenance costs.
Government must grasp opportunity of a climate positive UK 13/03/2023 Mike Thornton of the Energy Saving Trust urges the Government to convert its words about net zero into action ahead of the spring budget.
Third of parents worried about losing their home, charity warns 08/03/2023 A third of parents are worried about losing their home because of the cost-of-living crisis, according to campaigners.
Delivering net zero targets requires rethink of localities' role 02/03/2023 Delivering the UK’s 2030 target to cut carbon emissions requires a rethink of the role localities must play, according to the Green New Deal APPG.
Shetland council launches campaign to attract fishing boats 01/03/2023 Shetland Islands Council and Lerwick Port Authority have joined forces to encourage fishing boats to land in their harbours.
Closing doors: saving energy and money in the public sector 01/02/2023 Amy Entwistle, partner in Morton Fraser’s Public Sector Team, looks at how councils can save energy and money on the journey to net zero.
Local net zero push held back by Government, review finds 13/01/2023 Local authorities’ efforts to achieve net zero are being held back, according to a Government-commissioned review.
Councils, energy companies and landlords join forces to demand action on insulation 12/01/2023 Councils have joined power companies and social landlords to push for the immediate start of a plan for mass insulation of Britain’s homes.
Decarbonising the UK's housing stock – a practical example 11/01/2023 Kensa's vision of networked heat pumps offers a solution to the challenge of decarbonising the UK's housing stock.
Council chiefs ‘concerned’ by energy prices despite discount 10/01/2023 Local authority leaders ‘deeply concerned’ about high energy prices despite the Government’s announcement of a new Energy Bills Discount Scheme.