Cheshire Renewable Energy Initiative

Why CREI?

We all need to reduce our production of carbon dioxide! An undisputed fact!
The UK produces 2% of world CO2 emissions. Cheshire produces considerable quantities of carbon, in 2000 this figure was 2MTC. In Cheshire, we produce around 9.8 tonnes of CO2 per person, this is slightly lower than the national UK average of 10 tonnes per person.
The Cheshire Community Strategy established a target for reducing CO2 in the County. A reduction of 20% by 2010 has been set. All areas of the community have a role to play. The Cheshire Renewable Energy Initiative believe that a move to renewable energy in the County has a major role to reduce our CO2 production.

Information

The potential for renewable energy technologies to be applied in difference developments in Cheshire was considered by November 2004. A detailed technical paper formed the basis of this policy following principles established by Merton in London and Oldham in the North West. Cheshire is one of the forerunners in requiring new developments to consider the installation of renewable energy including pv, solar thermal, small scale wind and biomass.

The Cheshire Structure Plan proposed a positive approach to encourage renewable energy development across Cheshire. The Examination in Public Inspectors report on renewable energy provides a summary of the discussions and action to move the agenda forward across Cheshire. The Government have also announced a new funding programme for renewable energy, a summary of this information is available.

There are a wide range of central, regional and local initiatives and programmes that are pressing a consistent message for a lower carbon future. We have tried to help smooth the way for projects in Cheshire by providing a quick glimpse of the overarching policy and programmes that are operating across the County. The message from all the programmes is clear-our production of carbon dioxide needs to be reduced and we all have a contribution to make.

The Government have given greater priority to smaller scale renewables and are currently taking forward a consultation on micro generation. Our sources of CO2 are illustrated on the diagram with industrial areas and transport routes through the County easy to note. The main sources of power generation and electricity generation are identified. At the moment we don’t have any major renewable energy generation sites to identify!

There is increasing interest in the role of renewables in sustainable construction. The Cheshire County Council building programme is demonstrating the potential for integrating renewables into a construction programme. Planning policy is increasingly playing a greater role in stimulating interest in renwables and lower carbon developments. Planning Policy Statement 22 provides specific guidance on this issue with a forthcoming Planning Policy Statement on Climate Change adding to the requirements. Cheshire Districts and County Council's are increasingly playing a role in encouraging projects to include renewable energy through the planning system.

Cheshire Renewable Energy Initiative exhibits links to other organisations on the webpage. CREI cannot accept responsibility for the quality of information or actions of these other bodies. CREI recommend that anyone seeking guidance on renewable technologies obtains information and advice from at least three independent resources. The private sector is also stimulating greater interest in sustainable construction. For some general information see www.sustainable-construction.org.uk and www.sustainablebuild.co.uk.

Revolution in Renewables was a series of events completed during 2006. A number of factsheets have been produced for this project and can be viewed online - Renewable Factsheet Pack.

For further Information

CREI initiative - contact Jane O Brien.
CREI website additions - contact John Pearson.

Funding availability

Community Energy Programme (for Community organisations and public sector)