Photo: Freepik
Yorkshire’s mayors have been awarded more than £2.5m by the government to invest in clean energy for libraries, schools, leisure centres and other public services.
Great British Energy, the government’s clean energy company, announced that mayoral authorities across England would receive a share of a £10m grant.
The East Riding, North and West Yorkshire will receive £700,000 to invest in putting cleaner energy into its public services, while South Yorkshire will be given £572,025.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said the aim of the scheme was to help reduce energy bills.
He said: “Your local sports hall, library and community centre could have their energy bills cut by Great British Energy, the government’s publicly-owned clean energy company.
“Our plans will mean more money can be spent on the services that make working people better off and help strengthen the ties that bind us in our communities.”
Clean energy involves switching to energy sources that do not rely on greenhouse gas emissions or other pollutants for their production and use, such as solar panels, wind turbines and hydropower.
In North Yorkshire, the facilities that will benefit include Joseph Rowntree School in New Earswick, Jack Laugher Leisure Centre in Ripon and Whitby Leisure Centre.
North Yorkshire Mayor David Skaith said the money would be put towards “spending less on energy and more on supporting people”.
He said: “We need to take action for our communities who suffer the devastation of flooding and for our farmers who face unpredictable weather.
“We are backing exciting projects that change how we heat our homes, produce electricity and grow our food.”
‘Lower bills and cleaner future’
Meanwhile in South Yorkshire, public spaces to benefit include Rotherham Outdoor Market and libraries, Bullcroft Memorial Hall in Doncaster and Hatchell Wood School, also in Doncaster.
South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard said the scheme would make the region “cleaner, greener and fairer”.
He said: “The Rotherham Outdoor Market scheme is a brilliant example of how innovation can power local adaptation and resilience.
“By reducing emissions and energy costs, we’re supporting the stallholders who are the beating heart of the market – helping them grow in the face of rising energy prices and making the market more attractive for both traders and shoppers.
“In Doncaster, solar panels on three local schools won’t just save money, they’ll help to educate the next generation.”
