Nottingham City Council has launched a renewable energy framework — open to other local authorities — to generate returns and savings from renewable energy.
The council’s Energy Projects Service, a standalone company owned by the council, says that it will use the framework to deliver £3m worth of solar development on local authority buildings in the city.
The new framework has been adopted to speed up the procurement process for the supply and installation of domestic and commercial solar panels.
City Council deputy leader Graham Chapman, said: “Our procurement process will support our local economy, create jobs and deliver value for money for our citizens.
“As well as supporting local business, the council’s solar pipeline will support our commitment to tackle climate change while reducing our operating costs and protecting frontline services.”
The council has appointed three suppliers for the first two lots, and is expected to fill the remaining four lots during January, it said.
If successful, the framework could be worth £27.5m in business from the council over the next four years, matched by a similar amount, it hopes, from other local authorities.
The council already has over 40 solar systems generating 1,200,000kwh per year, which it said reduces their yearly energy bill by over £90,000.
In December, the council said that installing solar panels on its buildings will be among a number of commercial measures it is adopting in order to save £27m from next year’s budget.
Chapman, said: “Unless the Government comes up with funding to plug the gap it has created in caring for the elderly and disabled, we will be forced to find ways to make further savings in the New Year, which inevitably will mean that other services will unfortunately suffer.”
