Greater Manchester details decarbonisation strategy
Local area energy plans provide a roadmap for each district in Greater Manchester on how to reach the region’s goal of net zero carbon by 2038.
Greater Manchester Combined Authority adopted the LAEPs at its meeting on 30 September. The combined authority estimated that for the net zero target to be reached, an investment of £65bn would be required.
Within the plans are five key measures to be carried out over the next five years:
- Retrofitting the fabric of 140,000 homes
- Installing nearly 2 GW of rooftop solar panels on homes
- Replacing 190,000 vehicles with electric alternatives
- Connecting 8,000 homes to heat networks
- Installing 116,000 heat pumps in homes
Similar initiatives will be conducted within the public sector estate. This includes possibly installing more than 2.5 GW of solar panels on the rooftops of non-domestic buildings.
The LAEPs provide a timeline of decisions that need to be made, such as the combined authority settling on whether hydrogen will be a key part of decarbonising the heat network in the region around 2025. Around 2027, the combined authority is to see if further charging options are needed to encourage electric vehicle ownership for those who have to park their cars on the street.
Cllr Martyn Cox, the GMCA’s lead for green city region and waste and the Leader of Bolton Council, said: “The need for us to make systematic changes to the way we produce and consume energy is absolutely vital and in Greater Manchester we intend to drive that on a local level.
“We’re serious about making the changes needed to reach our target of making Greater Manchester carbon neutral by 2038 and we are once again leading the way by becoming the first city region in the country to develop and adopt local area energy plans.
“Our plans reduce uncertainty around what changes and initiatives each district in Greater Manchester needs to make to drive us to a decarbonised future. By providing a strong roadmap and sense of direction, we want to encourage greater investment in low-carbon technologies and business growth in sectors which support the net zero carbon transition,” Cox continued.
“At the same time, our carbon-friendly solutions will reduce people’s cost of living with lower energy bills and more attractive and affordable public transport, creating a greener and fairer Greater Manchester.”
Energy Systems Catapult and Buro Happold assisted GMCA in crafting the LEAPs. The reports also utilise input from Electricity North West, Cadent, Ofgem, Innovate UK, and the Department of Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy.
Waste of time. Progress in all of the important areas – insulation, heat pumps, vehicle charging – is dependant on funding and policy direction from central government.
By babberton
@babberton this is how England works tax receipts aren’t retained in the regions
By Anonymous