Issue - meetings

To receive a report from the Head of Finance, Property and Climate Resilience on the Phoenix Lane Solar and Battery Energy Storage System project.  

The Cabinet had before it a report * from the Deputy Chief Executive (S151) to consider the Phoenix Lane Solar and Battery Energy Storage System.

RESOLVED that:

1. The Phoenix Lane Solar and Battery Energy Storage System project as outlined within Option 3 be APPROVED.
2. That delegated authority be granted to the Cabinet Member for Governance, Finance and Risk - in consultation with the Deputy Chief Executive s151 and the Head of Finance, Property and Climate Resilience - to deliver the Phoenix Lane Solar and Battery Energy Storage System project.

Note: *Report previously circulated

The Cabinet had before it a report * from the Deputy Chief Executive (S151) to consider the Phoenix Lane Solar and Battery Energy Storage System.

The Cabinet Member for Finance, Governance and Risk outlined the contents of the report with particular reference to the following:

• The Phoenix Lane Solar and Battery Energy Storage System would achieve:

Ø  Leadership and engagement- a demonstration of green investment. Payback was expected within 10 years.

Ø  Carbon savings - up to 215 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO₂e) annually.

Ø  Energy cost savings and avoidance of cost volatility. By year 5 the Council expect to save around £67,500 in electricity costs.

Ø  Resilience- improved self-sufficiency. Solar power would supply the majority of Phoenix House power needs.

• Currently solar panels provided 10%-12% of Phoenix House electricity each year.  
• By storing surplus power in a smart battery system, the Council would achieve best value and use it on site. 
• The project would add value to this asset, as the top levels of the multi-storey car park were unused.
• Protection of the roof was vital. The Council would install security barriers to prevent access. The barriers were already justified to deal with Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) and safety issues on site.

The Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change highlighted the following:

• The proposal was considered valuable in helping Mid Devon meet its net?zero targets. Significant effort had already been invested in achieving net zero through actions within the Council’s control, both corporately and across the community. This proposal represented an action fully within the Council’s gift as a corporate contribution to net zero.
• She had been very supportive of the proposal and believed the public would be supportive, given the need to install renewable energy infrastructure on existing assets for example, on new housing, which central government had been considering making mandatory. It was seen as entirely appropriate to maximise the use of existing infrastructure, including Council buildings, to generate renewable electricity.
• The public had wanted to see the Council take this action, and the proximity of electricity users strengthened the proposal’s appropriateness. As with much of the Councils wider activity, it demonstrated the right course of action in response to the climate crisis.
• It was also noted that the Council had been doing a great deal to support social housing, including delivering net?zero homes. This meant the Council had been acting both to supply social housing and to contribute to net zero through that work.

Discussion took place with regards to:

• The proposal was not just about generating energy but about whole?life carbon, safety, asset management and effective use of the estate. Most of the electricity had come from the grid, with green contracts providing only limited direct generation. Producing renewable energy at the point of use would have reduced carbon impact, eased pressure on the local network, and improved resilience and price stability.
• It was noted as one of the few direct actions available to the Council to deliver its  ...  view the full minutes text for item 95