Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, and Steve Rotherham, the mayor of Liverpool, want to map their renewable potential and look into local ownership options.
The task force was established by the metro mayors Andy Burnham and Steve Rotheram to determine whether Greater Manchester and Liverpool, the equivalent of their respective city regions, could be powered by enough green energy sources such as wind, hydro, solar, and even grass.
The Greater Manchester and Liverpool City Regions, green businessman Dale Vince, Co-operatives UK, and Climate Outreach have joined forces to form the Green Energy Task Force, which was unveiled this week at the Greater Manchester Green Summit. The potential for green energy in both urban areas will be mapped, and it will be examined how people in the northwest can directly own and manage those resources.
Dale Vince, the founder of green energy supplier Ecotricity, said: “By harnessing our wind, sun, waves, and even grass, we can provide energy for the entire United Kingdom. And we are aware that it makes the most sense for the people to own these resources so that the advantages accrue to our nation.
“The Greater Manchester and Liverpool regions will serve as the first stop on the Green Energy Task Force’s regionally based journey in that direction. It will produce a model that all regions in the nation can follow to achieve net zero carbon emissions by the year 2030.”
In both city regions, the task force will build on already-existing work and partnerships while also looking into new ones. This could speed up the development of Greater Manchester’s “Go Neutral” solar photovoltaic program and Liverpool City Region’s tidal plans.
Greater Manchester’s Labour/Co-op mayor Burnham said: “We want to tackle the northwest issue head-on. Energy costs have soared. People feel helpless. Ownership of our energy is up for grabs when we consider the wind and our other renewables.
“Why don’t we, the stakeholders who are the people and businesses of the north-west, try to win this? Let the people be in charge. I’m therefore thrilled that Dale and the task force have agreed to take on this challenge, and I’m really looking forward to what we’ll come up with.”
Liverpool’s Labour mayor Rotheram added: “Because of the ongoing discussion about energy security and the soaring cost of energy, I want our region to take the lead in the decarbonization race. By utilizing our advantages in tidal, wind, solar, hydrogen, and other forms of renewable energy, the Liverpool City Region has the potential to become the UK’s renewable energy coast.
“Why shouldn’t our region benefit from the green industrial revolution if someone has to? I want us to take advantage of as many of those lucrative future jobs as we can, and I’m eager to collaborate with Dale and the task force to highlight our region.”
The task force will look at both new and old green energy ownership models. Cooperative and community ownership will be emphasized, and stakeholders could include local governments, government agencies, private companies, and taxpayers.
Rose Marley, Co-operatives UK’s CEO, said: “Without empowering local groups and releasing community-led climate action, the UK cannot reach net zero. Additionally, local government is in a unique position to invest, unlock sites, and connect communities.
“A powerful combination is created by bringing together various authorities, private companies, and local residents. They already exist and are a multi-stakeholder cooperative. Consider Plymouth Energy Community and Plymouth Council. The Green Energy Task Force is a huge step in the right direction toward our goal of having more.”
Dr. Amiera Sawas, of climate change communications experts Climate Outreach, said: “There is a desire to act, but nobody is sure what or how. This could be a really effective way to empower the populace and involve them in finding a solution to a problem that affects their daily lives.”
Reference: https://www.thenews.coop/165877/sector/energy/co-operatives-uk-joins-metro-mayors-taskforce-on-green-energy/