Council leading the way on biomass technology
Bedford Borough Council has secured a pioneering deal which will
see many Council buildings, including schools, reducing their
impact on the environment by using electricity generated by
biomass.
Working in partnership with business electricity supplier Haven
Power, the Council has secured this ground breaking deal which will
dramatically reduce the Council’s effect on the environment as well
as securing energy at an excellent cost for local taxpayers.
Biomass is the world’s fourth largest energy source and is
renewable and can be used in a sustainable system, meaning its
effect on the environment is much lower than burning fossil fuels.
Put simply, biomass is a form of stored solar energy. It is
organic, plant-based material such as wood chips or pellestied
straw and has been used as an energy source for many years to
produce heat.
In addition to securing energy from 100% renewable sources, the
Council is also leading work across Bedford Borough to identify
further opportunities for the local use of biomass technology. A
conference recently held at the Marston Vale Forest Centre aimed to
find new ways for local biomass material to be utilised and
developed for biomass boilers, encouraging schools and other
building owners to consider biomass as an opportunity to reduce
energy costs and reduce CO2.
Mayor of Bedford Borough, Dave Hodgson, said: “With the rising
cost of energy prices it is absolutely vital that we continue to
proactively pursue cheaper sources of electricity across the
borough.
“Opting for energy which is generated from biomass will
significantly reduce our impact on the environment as well as
providing reliable energy for years to come.
“We are also working with schools and other groups in Bedford
Borough to assist them in finding their own alternatives to using
costly and damaging fossil fuels.
“By choosing to purchase biomass energy, in addition to our
ground breaking project to install a hydro-power scheme on the
River Great Ouse we are forging ahead to protect local taxpayers’
money as well as ensuring the borough remains at the forefront of
renewable energy developments.”
Peter Bennell, Chief Executive at Haven Power, added: “Quite a
number of our customers are facing increasing pressure to be more
environmentally responsible. As part of Drax Power, we have the
ability to supply our customers with biomass-generated energy at no
cost to power generated from traditional fuel sources.
“Taking the option of power from a 100 percent renewable source,
means our customers benefit from their supply being exempt from
Climate Change Levy. It is a very simple but effective way for
Bedford Borough Council to commit to being more sustainable and
deliver carbon footprint saving without incurring extra costs”
The following sites are receiving energy produced from
biomass.
•
Borough Hall
• Town
Hall
•
Bedford Central Library
• Oasis
Beach Pool
•
Bedford International Athletic Stadium
•
Bedford i-lab
•
Bedford Corn Exchange – Harpur Suite
•
Bunyan Sports Centre
•
Biddenham International School & Sports College
•
Bedford Academy
•
Wootton Upper School & Arts College
•
Sharnbrook Upper School & Community College
• St
Thomas More Catholic Upper School
• Mark
Rutherford Upper School & Community College
•
Hastingsbury Business & Enterprise College
•
Grange School