Climate change action plan 2021-23

Gas
A major scaling up of the district heat networks
described in this plan, would be required to reduce
gas emissions sufficiently to hit net-zero by 2030.
The scenario set out here assumes that within the 7
main towns in Northumberland for which we have
applied for funding to undertake heat masterplanning,
80% of domestic properties and 60% of commercial
properties would be accessing low or zero carbon
heat by 2030.
This is an extremely ambitious scenario, dependent
on many factors including significant capital investment
and a major behavioural shift from residents and
businesses. However, pursuing this strategy would
create massive economic benefits for the county in
terms of jobs, infrastructure, supply chain opportunities
and training and skills advancements. It would also
result in an emissions reduction of around 185 ktCO 2
.
Electricity
As set out in this plan, decarbonisation of the UK’s
national electricity grid through a shift to renewable
energy, primarily wind, is currently projected to result
in a saving of 293.4 ktCO 2
against 2018 electricity
emissions by 2030. The Council will continue to monitor
progress against these projections as figures are
reported by government.
In addition to this, we have modelled a scenario of a
20% reduction in grid electricity usage across the county
by 2030. This would result in an additional 27.8 ktCO 2
saved against 2018 figures. As demand for electricity
is likely to increase through electrification of heat and
transport, this figure could only be realised by significant
investment from the Council, businesses and residents
in their own micro-generation schemes such as solar
photovoltaics and community energy projects.
It is also important to ensure that the demand on the
grid from the electrification of heat and transport is
kept to a minimum which is why home efficiency
improvements to drive down heat demand together
with advancing technology such as vehicle to grid
charging, are a key part in emissions control and why
the Council is looking at a whole system approach to
net-zero.
The Council will continue to assess the feasibility of
renewable electricity generation across its own estate
and will promote opportunities to residents and
businesses for generating their own electricity and
saving costs together with CO 2
.
Other Fuels
Northumberland has an above average number of
homes and businesses located off the gas grid which
currently need to burn oil, LPG or solid fuels such as
coal or wood for their heat. These properties tend to
be sparsely spread in rural locations and are therefore
less suitable for district heat networks. Whilst replacing
oil and gas heat sources with renewable heat either
through ground or air source heat pumps is not entirely
straightforward, it does at least offer cost savings as
well as emissions savings to the end customer and is
therefore a more attractive option for individuals if
funding can be found for the initial work.
We have modelled a scenario which sees a 30%
reduction in emissions from heat across all wards in
Northumberland classed as rural (which can be assumed
to be off gas). This would result in a reduction of 79
ktCO 2
against 2018 levels.
Northumberland County Council will continue to work
with residents and businesses in off-gas properties to
promote and facilitate a shift to renewable heat. This
is especially important in light of the UK Government’s
commitment to increased renewable heat installations
referenced above by 2028.
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Climate Change Action Plan 2021-23