Agenda item

Report of the Portfolio Holder for Energy, Environment and Democratic Services

The Board considered the report of the Portfolio Holder for Energy Environment and Democratic Services outlining a range of projects due to take place at the Eastcroft depot, and seeking approval of a new electricity supply to the depot.

The Portfolio Holder highlighted that the projects detailed and previously approved will not only allow the Council to make significant financial savings, but will also result in carbon savings of approximately 45 tonnes of CO2 per year working towards the Council Plan targets.

Resolved to:

(1)  Approve the capital funding allocation required for the new electricity supply, as detailed in the exempt financial Appendix A.

(2)  Approve procurement of a Principal Contractor to deliver the works described in this report, through a competitive tender process and to delegate authority to Head of Energy Services, to award and sign the contract with the chosen provider following the outcome of the tender process.

(3)  Approve the spend of capital, as detailed in the exempt financial Appendix A, following the award of the works to a Principal Contractor through the competitive tender process.

(4)  Approve the budget for fuel and vehicle tax to be transferred from service areas’ budget to Fleet Services when a diesel vehicle is replaced with an EV (including the retrospective application of this decision to include EVs already purchased). Approve that this budget transfer is ring-fenced to fund the increased costs associated with the electrification of the fleet, such as the electricity supply upgrade referenced in this report.

(5)  Approve that all future vehicle purchases will be 100% Battery Electric Vehicles, unless Fleet Services determine that this is not possible, in order to ensure that fuel savings are achieved.

(6)  To note that these recommendations are subject to approval in relation to the proposed works to the site being separately received from the Trusts and Charities Committee

Reasons for the decision

There are currently 6 small independently metered electricity supplies to the Eastcroft Depot. These either are at capacity or are close to capacity meaning that no additional electric vehicle (EV) charging can be installed at the site including for pilot schemes. The solar power generated at Tamar Building is not able to generate at maximum capacity, the equipment funded through CleanMobilEnergy is not able to be installed and basic improvements to the site are putting the electrical infrastructure at risk of being overloaded.

By consolidating the 6 existing supplies into 1 high voltage incoming supply with a new substation it will allow NCC to implement a variety of projects aimed at reducing CO2 emissions and making financial savings.

The upgrade of the electricity supply will bring the following benefits, either directly or indirectly:

·  Improved air quality

·  Reduced carbon emissions

·  Increased renewable energy generation

·  Reduced energy costs

·  New income streams

·  Funding obligations met mitigating against potential clawback

·  Futureproofed site

·  Creation of an exemplar energy/transport innovation hub

Other Options considered

One alternative option considered was to install charging and renewable infrastructure and equipment at other sites. This was rejected as electrical infrastructure at other sites was found to have similar challenges and would not have been able to accommodate the equipment that needs to be installed. There would also be significant operational impacts including increased travel distances for fleet vehicles and lack of parking.

The other option considered would be to do nothing. This option was rejected as it exposed existing projects to risks to their funding streams which would include clawback of funds already spent. This option would also exclude a range of identified benefits including reduced carbon, loss of opportunity for new income streams, and reduced costs.