Areas for action - Energy

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Working with our communities and key partners to reduce emissions from the energy sector in west Cheshire.

Getting the right energy, to the right place, at the right time is one of our key challenges and opportunities in west Cheshire. As a place with many businesses which use a lot of energy, our energy networks are under real pressure, and it is important that this is considered to ensure they help enable local growth, rather than be a barrier. There has been significant growth in renewable and low carbon energy generation – such as solar power - in recent years, both in businesses, and in people’s homes. Continuing to grow and store renewable energy generation in a way that is fair and that is supported by communities will be one of the key opportunities and challenges for the area in the next five years.

More information on this area for action can be found in the draft Plan in the section titled “Energy”.


The proposed outcomes would we see across the borough, in relation to reducing carbon emissions in the energy sector by 2030, include:

Please note, these are borough-wide outcomes, and as well as requiring action from the Council, they will also depend on the action of a wide range of people and organisations, including residents.

  • O1: The area would have a Local Area Energy Plan (LAEP) for Cheshire West and Chester to help decarbonise the energy systems in the area. This would set out the potential locations for new renewable energy installations, such as locations for wind or solar in the area, heat networks and energy storage systems.

  • O2: The Council’s buildings and assets, such as the buildings it owns will be more energy efficient.

  • O3: The energy required to run Council buildings and operations will be provided through renewable energy sources. Locally owned and operated energy will be used where possible.

  • O4: Low carbon and renewable energy generation, and proposals which create more flexibility on the energy grid, such as energy storage , will be delivered using the Council’s land and assets.

  • O5: A significant proportion of electricity demand across west Cheshire will be met through locally generated and locally owned low carbon and renewable energy sources, moving towards 100% and then becoming a net exporter (producing more energy than it consumes) by 2050.

  • O6: The local electricity grid is smarter, more flexible and peak demand is met through low carbon and renewable energy and energy storage.

  • O7: Heat demand within west Cheshire is reduced and decarbonised as far as possible

  • O8: Energy infrastructure in west Cheshire is adapted and resilient to the projected impacts of Climate Change, such as extreme weather events.

  • O9: The Hydrogen economy (including hydrogen production, distribution and storage) is supported in its development to decarbonise where electrification is not feasible.

To achieve these outcomes for energy, the Council proposes to take the following action:

  • A1: Develop a Local Area Energy Plan for west Cheshire in partnership with the network operators, neighbouring authorities and key stakeholders. This will help to set out how the area’s energy system can transition to net zero by 2045.

  • A2: Identify and analyse low carbon and renewable energy resources (such as locations suitable for solar, wind or hydro energy) and opportunities across the borough to support allocation of sites and identification of suitable areas through the Local Plan.

  • A3: Follow planning policies and strategies to help support renewable energy generation and the transition to a smart, flexible energy system.

  • A4: Support and develop partnerships with community energy organisations and explore how to support these bodies.

  • A5: Continue to purchase 100% certified traceable renewable energy tariffs with a medium to long term aim to purchase energy from local community energy schemes and renewable energy generators in the county.

  • A6: Design any new, Council-led buildings or developments to include renewable energy systems including potential for micro-grids and heat networks (a shared system for providing multiple properties with hot water and/or heating).

  • A7: Explore and implement opportunities for generating renewable energy and battery storage initiatives on the Council’s owned land.

Working with our communities and key partners to reduce emissions from the energy sector in west Cheshire.

Getting the right energy, to the right place, at the right time is one of our key challenges and opportunities in west Cheshire. As a place with many businesses which use a lot of energy, our energy networks are under real pressure, and it is important that this is considered to ensure they help enable local growth, rather than be a barrier. There has been significant growth in renewable and low carbon energy generation – such as solar power - in recent years, both in businesses, and in people’s homes. Continuing to grow and store renewable energy generation in a way that is fair and that is supported by communities will be one of the key opportunities and challenges for the area in the next five years.

More information on this area for action can be found in the draft Plan in the section titled “Energy”.


The proposed outcomes would we see across the borough, in relation to reducing carbon emissions in the energy sector by 2030, include:

Please note, these are borough-wide outcomes, and as well as requiring action from the Council, they will also depend on the action of a wide range of people and organisations, including residents.

  • O1: The area would have a Local Area Energy Plan (LAEP) for Cheshire West and Chester to help decarbonise the energy systems in the area. This would set out the potential locations for new renewable energy installations, such as locations for wind or solar in the area, heat networks and energy storage systems.

  • O2: The Council’s buildings and assets, such as the buildings it owns will be more energy efficient.

  • O3: The energy required to run Council buildings and operations will be provided through renewable energy sources. Locally owned and operated energy will be used where possible.

  • O4: Low carbon and renewable energy generation, and proposals which create more flexibility on the energy grid, such as energy storage , will be delivered using the Council’s land and assets.

  • O5: A significant proportion of electricity demand across west Cheshire will be met through locally generated and locally owned low carbon and renewable energy sources, moving towards 100% and then becoming a net exporter (producing more energy than it consumes) by 2050.

  • O6: The local electricity grid is smarter, more flexible and peak demand is met through low carbon and renewable energy and energy storage.

  • O7: Heat demand within west Cheshire is reduced and decarbonised as far as possible

  • O8: Energy infrastructure in west Cheshire is adapted and resilient to the projected impacts of Climate Change, such as extreme weather events.

  • O9: The Hydrogen economy (including hydrogen production, distribution and storage) is supported in its development to decarbonise where electrification is not feasible.

To achieve these outcomes for energy, the Council proposes to take the following action:

  • A1: Develop a Local Area Energy Plan for west Cheshire in partnership with the network operators, neighbouring authorities and key stakeholders. This will help to set out how the area’s energy system can transition to net zero by 2045.

  • A2: Identify and analyse low carbon and renewable energy resources (such as locations suitable for solar, wind or hydro energy) and opportunities across the borough to support allocation of sites and identification of suitable areas through the Local Plan.

  • A3: Follow planning policies and strategies to help support renewable energy generation and the transition to a smart, flexible energy system.

  • A4: Support and develop partnerships with community energy organisations and explore how to support these bodies.

  • A5: Continue to purchase 100% certified traceable renewable energy tariffs with a medium to long term aim to purchase energy from local community energy schemes and renewable energy generators in the county.

  • A6: Design any new, Council-led buildings or developments to include renewable energy systems including potential for micro-grids and heat networks (a shared system for providing multiple properties with hot water and/or heating).

  • A7: Explore and implement opportunities for generating renewable energy and battery storage initiatives on the Council’s owned land.