Council’s electricity bill doubles in a year

Council leaders have warned of further pressure on the budget after the local authority’s electricity bill doubled in a year.

Cabinet members have been told that the price will rise from £3.5 million in 2021/22 to approximately £7 million in 2022/23.

The council’s corporate electricity supply contract covers the supply of electricity to office buildings, schools, community centres, libraries, leisure facilities and buildings occupied by Persona and Six Town Housing.

The cabinet has now agreed to sign a four-year deal to buy electricity through YPO, a Public Buying Organisation which represents many councils, from 2023 to 2027. This will cost approximately £7 million a year, with the option to extend the deal by a further four years.

Councillor Eamonn O’Brien, leader of the council, said: “Every person and business in the country has been hit hard by energy price increases, and councils are no exception.

“We’re taking all the measures we can to save energy, but fuel prices have risen by so much that this will have a significant effect on our overall budget.

“There is some good news. Under the new contract, 40% of the electricity will come from renewable resources, up from the current 30%, which is very much in line with our ambition to become carbon neutral and tackle climate change.”

ENDS

Press release issued: 20 September 2022.