Develop a low carbon and renewable energy portfolio

As well as prioritising energy reduction and efficiency measures, towns and cities need to develop a diverse energy supply portfolio in response to the pressures of energy security and carbon reduction targets.

© mmadpic / Alamy

A low carbon and renewable energy portfolio should be steered to make the most of local assets, be made up of a range of sources and maximise the stake of local communities and the benefits that accrue to them.

There is greatest potential to consider this portfolio at a regional or city scale and local authorities will need to work in partnership with delivery agencies. The government is developing the legislative and policy framework to enable low carbon and renewable options to be developed, often in response to the need to comply with EU energy performance requirements and renewable targets. The UK has a target to produce 15 per cent of energy from renewable sources by 2020.

There is the potential for cities and authorities to increasingly compete for the brand of ‘sustainable’, and the greatest benefit will accrue to those who move first before it simply becomes ‘compliance’. The options on the right can help local authorities make decisions about the most appropriate opportunities within their local area.