Fire stations, care homes and libraries get share of £10m for clean energy
The funding comes alongside GB Energy's push to deliver clean energy projects for around 200 schools and hospitals with £180 million funding.
The Government said the grants range from rooftop solar on Merseyside care homes and leisure centres to solar and batteries for libraries, fire stations, police stations and sports centres – as well as EV chargers – in Greater Manchester.
Funding is also going towards solar schemes including police headquarters in Cambridgeshire, an outdoor covered market in Yorkshire and a former colliery in the East Midlands.
In West Yorkshire, Leeds City Council's Arium plant nursery and Lotherton Hall estate will be among those benefiting from clean energy funding.
Officials estimate the schemes could produce around £1 million a year in savings, and £35 million lifetime savings, on energy bills, as well as improve energy security and create good jobs.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: 'Your local sports hall, library and community centre could have their energy bills cut by Great British Energy, the government's publicly-owned clean energy company.
'Our plans will mean more money can be spent on the services that make working people better off and help strengthen the ties that bind us in our communities.'
Great British Energy chief executive Dan McGrail said: 'Today's support for new clean power projects in every region in England shows our mission in action – providing a lasting positive impact for the country by creating new jobs, lower bills, and a cleaner future.
'It's important that communities feel the benefits of the energy transition and that we demonstrate the very real benefits it can bring,' he said.
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The Guardian
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- The Guardian
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The Herald Scotland
3 hours ago
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The Herald Scotland
3 hours ago
- The Herald Scotland
Why did ScotGov support award of Scots ferry contracts to firms abroad
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CMAL's procurement process emphasised technical and financial suitability. Ferguson Marine is understood to have not scored as highly as other bidders in these areas. What were the issues with the Glen Sannox and Glen Rosa projects? The issues with Glen Sannox and Glen Rosa has become known as Scotland's ferry fiasco. Glen Rosa and Glen Sannox's arrival to serve islands was scheduled to be online in the first half of 2018. Glen Sannox finally went into service on January but islanders are still awaiting the arrival of Glen Rosa. Glen Sannox (Image: Andrew Milligan/PA) Both vessels were significantly behind schedule and over budget. Glen Rosa's delivery has been delayed until spring 2026, with costs soaring. Costs of the entire project are currently expected to have multiplied at least five-fold from the original £96m price. The delays were down to design and construction flaws. Problems included inadequate planning, quality issues, and a lack of detailed construction plans with CMAL and Ferguson Marine blaming each other for failings. The contract also lacked adequate financial safeguards, such as a builder's refund guarantee, which would have protected public funds in case of project failures. What are the implications of awarding contracts to overseas shipyards? Awarding contracts to overseas shipyards has both advantages and disadvantages. Overseas shipyards like Cemre and Remontowa, it is felt, have demonstrated the ability to deliver vessels on time and within budget. These shipyards have experience building similar vessels, ensuring adherence to technical specifications. But the disadvantages are the economic impact on Scotland. Excluding domestic shipyards like Ferguson Marine can have negative effects on local employment and the Scottish shipbuilding industry. Ferguson Marine has previously indicated that losing ferry contracts had an effect on its ability to continue as a going concern. Ferguson Marine (Image: Colin Mearns) The decisions on the contracts have sparked political criticism and debates over the government's commitment to supporting domestic industries. What lessons have been learned from these experiences? While the decision to award ferry contracts to overseas shipyards was based on factors like cost, efficiency, and technical capability, it has raised important questions about the future of domestic shipbuilding in Scotland and the need for improved procurement practices. The challenges faced in ferry procurement have highlighted the need for robust procurement processes and that contracts should include builder's refund guarantees to protect public funds. It has also shown the requirement to balance the need for cost-effective procurement with the importance of supporting local industries.
