Cheshire has been selected by the government as a “key growth region” for clean energy which will unlock green skills training and boost a collective ambition for it to be the healthiest, most sustainable, inclusive and growing economy in the UK.

Workers will be supported with government-backed training programmes so they can benefit from thousands of new job opportunities in the clean energy sector, as part of the government’s Plan for Change and clean energy superpower mission.

Cheshire West and Chester will receive £1m in the first round of funding after it was confirmed on Wednesday it was one of four regions selected by the government to launch the scheme. This will include an Energy Skills Passport portal - a tool which will enable workers to easily identify which qualifications, such as technical and safety standards, are needed for specific roles - to help workers in the oil and gas industry transition into the renewable energy sector in the region.

The government confirmed west Cheshire had been chosen as one of the UK’s “key growth regions for clean energy, with flourishing offshore wind, nuclear, and solar industries”.

Enterprise Cheshire and Warrington (formerly Cheshire and Warrington LEP) is going to be delivering the pilot locally, working with a partnership including North West Net Zero Hub, Cheshire West and Chester Council and Net Zero North West.

Funding could go towards new training centres, courses or career advisers - supporting local people into opportunities in industries such as welding, electrical engineering, and construction.

Today regional leaders hailed the investment as an important step towards a collective bid by all three of Cheshire’s local authorities for the region to be the healthiest, most sustainable, inclusive and growing economy in the UK.

The announcement comes amid a North West Net Zero Industrial Cluster plan, which centres around a £30bn pipeline of clean energy projects to unlock investment and remove over 40 million tonnes of carbon from the atmosphere every year, as well as creating and safeguarding thousands of jobs.

Cllr Louise Gittins

Cllr Louise Gittins, Chair of Cheshire and Warrington sub regional Leaders Board and Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council, said: “We are thrilled that Cheshire West and Chester has been selected as a target area for the Regional Skills Pilot.

“This initiative, as part of the Clean Power Action Plan, will play a crucial role in transitioning our workforce from carbon-intensive industries to clean energy sectors. As one of the centres of the net zero re-industrialisation of the North, we are committed to encouraging green economic growth and the benefits that will bring to our area.”

Cllr Gittins added: “By addressing skill gaps and challenges through targeted interventions, we are not only supporting our residents to upskill, and our local economy to fill crucial skill requirements, but also contributing to the UK’s broader goal of achieving clean power by 2030. We look forward to working closely with the department and the Office for Clean Energy Jobs to ensure the success of this pilot.”

Employers will also get a handbook which highlights where businesses can access support to grow and upskill their workforce. This will include, for example, sector-based work academy programmes which help jobseekers into the sector, ensuring they have the necessary skills to deliver clean power by 2030.

Funding could go towards new training centres, courses or career advisers - supporting local people into opportunities in industries such as welding, electrical engineering, and construction.

Announcing the scheme, Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: “We are working with communities, businesses, and trade unions to train workers here in Britain, so we can seize the opportunities that clean power brings.”

As we step into a new year, it’s the perfect time to reflect on how our daily habits can make a difference not only for the planet but also for our health and wallets. Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Climate Emergency Response Plan highlights the need for collective and individual efforts to cut carbon emissions, protect the environment, and create a sustainable future for the borough.

The Climate Emergency can feel like a big task for us to tackle individually but by focusing on small, achievable and regular habits we can play our part to benefit both the environment and our own lives.

Sustainable living can help improve your health and boost savings

Sustainable living often feels like a grand goal, but it’s also deeply personal. By making greener choices, we not only reduce our carbon footprint but can also improve our physical and mental well-being, often while saving money. Here are some ideas on how to do this.

• Active transport: Walking or cycling short journeys instead of driving cuts emissions, improves your health, and saves on fuel costs.
• Energy efficiency: Reducing energy use at home lowers carbon emissions and helps to cut energy bills.
• Food choices: Introducing more plant-based food to your diet and reducing food waste saves money, supports a healthier diet, and can help reduce the methane emissions linked to livestock and landfill waste.

All of these goals will help with the borough's target to become carbon-neutral by 2045, providing us with greener communities and more sustainable area to live.

Tips for Creating Sustainable Eco-Habits

• Start small but stay consistent
  Habits don’t change overnight. Begin with one or two manageable goals—like cutting out single-use plastics or opting for meat-free meals twice a week. Small actions, when repeated regularly, create lasting change.
  
  
• Go green with transport
  Try walking, cycling or wheeling for short journeys. If you are going further afield try car sharing, or using buses and trains. You’ll reduce emissions, save on petrol, and stay active. If you are heading to Chester during January the Park and Ride service is offering free tickets to all passengers. Find out more on the Council’s website.
  
  
• Reduce energy use at home
  Simple energy-saving habits, such as turning off lights when leaving a room, unplugging electronics, and washing clothes at lower temperatures, can lead to significant savings. Consider switching to renewable energy providers or investing in home improvements like insulation or smart thermostats. Details of energy savings grants that are currently available are listed on the Council's home energy for residents webpage.
  
  
• Rethink your waste
  Recycling is essential, but reducing and reusing are even better. Repair rather than replace, buy second-hand, and compost food waste to reduce the amount of waste that is going to landfill. The Council's website has information about what you are able to recycle in your bins at home and what can go to your local waste and recycling centre. Some of the borough’s waste and recycling centres also have reuse shops where you can buy second hand items, such as small electrical items and some furniture.
  
  
• Eat sustainably
  Support local farmers’ markets, businesses and community initiatives that reduce food miles and provide fresh, seasonal produce. Cutting back on processed foods and adding more plant-based meals to your diet not only helps the planet but also lowers your risk of chronic diseases. Visit the Veganuary website for some recipe ideas.
  
  
• Leave space for nature in your garden
  Whatever the size or shape of your garden you can make small changes to make it a home to wildlife and encourage nature to thrive. You could boost biodiversity by scattering some native seeds to make a wildflower meadow, try growing your own food, consider adding a micro pond or plant more flowering plants to support pollinators. It's also really important to ensure that any adaptations you make to your garden allow for water to permeate through the ground to help avoid flooding. For tips on gardening for nature visit WWFs website or view a webinar that Cheshire Wildlife Trust hosted about climate proofing your garden.

• Get involved locally
  Our Climate Emergency Response Plan highlights the importance of community collaboration. Join local green groups, participate in tree planting/habitat creation, or volunteer for clean-up events to connect with others in your community and amplify your impact. Visit the Climate Emergency Inspire Hub for details of local community groups.

The ripple effect of your choices

When you adopt sustainable habits, the benefits ripple outward. Your actions inspire others—friends, family, and neighbours—to follow suit. Together, small changes create a culture of sustainability that supports the borough's climate goals.

By incorporating some of these habits into your everyday life, you’ll enjoy a healthier lifestyle, financial savings, and help to create greener communities. The Council’s Climate Emergency Response Plan and Climate Emergency Hub offers guidance, tips and resources to help you on your journey to make west Cheshire carbon neutral by 2045.

In early 2025 the Council ran an engagement exercise to hear the views of local people about a proposal to create a community woodland and wildlife area on an open area of amenity grassland, adjacent to Shelley Road, Milton Road and Donne Place, in Blacon, Chester.

More details about the engagement and the findings from this work can be found on this project page.

Lots of us will be making plans to enjoy the Christmas break with friends and family this year, enjoying food and drink together and sharing presents. Many of us try to be sustainable throughout the year but the festive season can be more challenging.


We’ve put together some tips to help you have a more sustainable Christmas.

Reduce Food Waste

• Plan your meals: Make a list of what you need and stick to it. Avoid impulse buys at the supermarket.
  
  
• Use leftovers: Get creative with your leftovers. Turn leftover turkey into sandwiches or pies and use leftover vegetables in soups or stews. Visit http://www.lovefoodhatewaste.com for inspiration.
  
  
• Compost food waste: Remember to recycle all your Christmas food waste, including turkey carcasses in your brown bin.

Recycle responsibly

• Get recycling: You can recycle lots of different items in your recycling bins at home or take excess waste along to one of the borough’s Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs). Details about schedule changes to our bin collection service over Christmas and the New Year period, along with HWRC opening times, can be found on our website. If you live outside of the area visit your local Council’s website for details.
  
  
• Bins too full? Excess recycling that doesn’t fit in your bin can be put securely next to your bin/box to be collected on the same day as your bin collection.
  
  
• Christmas trees: Real Christmas trees can be taken to a number of sites across the borough to be recycled or to any Household Waste Recycling Centre. Further details about all these locations can be found on our website. There are also a number of charity collections in the area.

Consider your travel options

• Park & Ride: If you’re heading to Chester this season, consider taking the Park & Ride. Up to five people traveling together can get a ticket for just £5 and there are late night services up to Christmas. In January you can travel for free on the service. Find out more on our website.
  
  
• Jingle into January on the Park & Ride: The Council is offering free travel on the city’s Park & Ride service throughout January 2025, thanks to funding from the Department of Transport under its Bus Service Improvement Plan grant. The offer applies to single day tickets purchased on bus from any one of the operational sites at Boughton Heath, Upton or Wrexham Road.
  
  
• Get around for £2: Bus services in the borough have the £2 fare cap running until the 31 December 2024. From the 1 January 2025 there will be a new £3 fare cap introduced, in many cases the fares are less than £3 but the fare cap prevents you paying more than £3 for a single journey on buses in the borough. Read more about the fare cap on the Government’s website. For public transport options in the borough visit our website.
  
  
• Walk, wheel or cycle: If possible, consider walking, wheeling or cycling if you are making short trips this Christmas.
  
  
• Consider car sharing: If you do need to drive, consider car sharing with friends or family.
  
  

Switch your gift giving

• Make your gifts meaningful: Ask recipients what they’d really value, or consider purchasing experiences instead.
  
  
• Support local independent businesses: Shopping at local businesses helps to reduce your carbon footprint and supports your community.
  
  
• Buy handmade or second-hand gifts: Consider giving handmade or second-hand gifts this Christmas. This is a great way to reduce waste and support local artisans. Sites such as Olio or Vinted are great places to check for second hand or home made goods.

Be energy efficient

• Keep pan lids on: When cooking, keep pan lids on to reduce cooking time and save energy.
  
  
• Turn off lights and electronics: Turn off lights and electronics when you're not using them, including Christmas lights.
  
  
• Adjust the temperature: If you are able to, and don’t have a health condition, try lowering the thermostat a few degrees to help save energy and lower your bills. You could also reduce the temperature of those rooms you aren’t using even more. Read are article on the Energy for Everyone site for more energy saving tips for the home

Choose eco-friendly decorations and wrapping

• Re-use or repurpose decorations: Decorations can last for years or if you’re after something new for your home take a look at local Facebook groups or sites such as Olio to see if anyone is giving something away.
  
  
• Take inspiration from nature: Consider using pine cones or cuttings of evergreen plants and trees to decorate your home.
• Wrap gifts sustainably: Use reusable wrapping paper or brown paper and decorate with natural materials like pine cones and berries.

If you have any tips of your own about having a more sustainable Christmas you can add them to the ‘your story’ section of the Climate Emergency Inspire hub.

The Council is currently developing a new Climate Emergency Response Plan for the borough for 2025 – 2030. You can review the actions we’ve proposed to help us become a carbon neutral borough by 2045 and have your say by completing our consultation before 12 February 2025. Visit the consultation webpage for more information.

Cheshire West and Chester Council is asking people in the borough to share their views on the actions the Council has set out to tackle the Climate Emergency.

A draft of the Council’s Climate Emergency Response Plan for 2025 – 2030 has been prepared following an initial co-production exercise earlier this year. During the co-production period the Council worked with communities to understand the opportunities and challenges the borough faces as it works towards a greener, healthier and more resilient future.

This is the second Climate Emergency Response Plan prepared for the borough following a Climate Emergency declaration in 2019. The plan will be used as a guide to support the west Cheshire to achieve its target to reach net zero by 2045.

Starting today, 4 December 2024, a consultation on the draft plan is available for local residents, businesses and partners to complete.

The draft plan sets out priorities for the borough and key actions the Council, partners and communities can take under six key theme areas:

• Business and industry
• Transport
• Housing
• Energy
• Land use and adaptation
• Waste and the circular economy

Councillor Louise Gittins, Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council, said: “The draft Climate Emergency plan has some clear actions that both the Council and our communities and partners can work on together to help us become a carbon neutral borough and to become a more sustainable borough.

“Industries, business and communities across the borough are already making an impact on reducing carbon emissions, with the latest available data from The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, showing that we’re the fastest decarbonising area in the UK.

“This is your chance to have your say on the proposed plan to help us reach our climate goals over the next five years.”

The consultation is available to complete via the Council’s online engagement platform, Participate Now, and involves a series of questions on different elements of the Climate Plan. Visit: www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/climateconsultation

There will be a number of in person drop-in sessions taking place in libraries across the borough over the coming weeks, where residents can speak to the Council’s Climate Change team to share their views. Drop-in sessions will take place between 3pm - 6.30pm at each location.

• Thursday, 5 December Northwich Library at Weaver Hall Museum and Workhouse, London Road, Northwich, CW9 8AB
• Thursday, 12 December at Winsford Library, High Street, Winsford, CW7 2AS
• Thursday, 12 December at Ellesmere Port Library, Civic Way, Ellesmere Port, CH65 0BG
• Tuesday, 17 December at Storyhouse, Hunter Street, Chester, CH1 2AR
• Thursday, 19 December at Malpas Library, Bishop Heber High School, Malpas, SY14 8JD

People can also request a paper copy of the consultation by emailing: climatechange@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk

The consultation will run from 4 December 2024 – 12 February 2025.

In early 2024, a joint pilot project between the Council’s Total Environment and Climate Change teams was started to see if the Council's newly planted woodlands could be used for beekeeping. The project aimed to learn whether small scale honey production could provide a small income for woodland owners and help to boost pollinator numbers were wild bee populations were low. The project will also help improve the establishment of wildflower meadows in our new woodlands by increasing pollination and, as a result, creation of seeds to improve wildflower density. It is hoped that our wildflower areas will become more resilient as a result of these improvements.

There are lots of benefits of beekeeping to our biodiversity, especially on urban fringes, on the outskirts of our towns and city.

• Increased natural beauty – Flower pollination results in vibrant-coloured flowers, which have a positive impact on peoples’ mood and mental health.
• Habitat and biodiversity – Pollination helps maintain variety in ecosystems and habitats, supports food webs, and enhances the diversity of the living world.
• Carbon sequestration – Healthy plants are able to absorb carbon dioxide, improving the quality of air in the atmosphere.

Our wild bee population, alongside other insect populations, are in significant decline and there is ongoing research on competition by honey bees for available foraging. For this reason, careful consideration was given to site location and the amount of hives placed in each area. With three new woodland sites to utilise, two were allocated for beekeeping and one kept as a control, to use as a baseline to compare against the other sites.

Our master volunteer beekeeper, Peter Phillipart, has sensors and cameras on his hives. These produce extensive data on bee movement and periods of activity, the hive condition, and helps monitor population pressures on our wild pollinators.

It’s fantastic to see early successes on this project, which has potential to not only support biodiversity but also research a potential new agroforestry business for landowners across the borough.

A huge debt of gratitude to the work of local beekeepers in helping this project become a reality. Equally it highlights the close partnership between the Council’s Total Environment and Climate Change Teams, and how together we can deliver enhancement and benefits to west Cheshire’s natural capital, which will help improve the sustainability of our communities.

Find out more about the borough’s response to the Climate and Nature Crisis by reading our Climate Emergency Response Plan - https://www.westcheshireclimateplan.co.uk/

Cheshire West and Chester Council are supporting local businesses to move towards Net Zero.

The Council are allocating £70,000 of its UK Shared Prosperity Funding (UKSPF) to support Groundwork, an environmental charity, to work with local employers to develop low carbon action plans as part of its Low Carbon Capacity Building Programme.

The Council is aware that many local employers are keen to understand how they can become energy efficient, produce less waste and increase productivity. The assumption is that employers know what is needed and are able to source solutions, including training, but this is not always the case.

This programme enables employers to be proactive, developing their own capacity to carry out low carbon audits across their organisation, or on behalf of a group of organisations, producing an action plan and a focus which would enable them to reduce carbon emissions in the future.

The Council are also aware that many public sector procurement opportunities are now asking for applicants to demonstrate what they have done to date to become net zero, therefore this project could also lead to employers bidding and winning new work, increasing their longer-term financial viability.

In the past employers have relied on accessing external support to develop their plans, this project would enable them to take ownership of this important agenda and upskill their own staff capacity to deliver.

This project supports the “Greener Communities” theme of the Council’s Borough Plan and the Climate Emergency Action Plan.

The Low Carbon Capacity Building Programme will support 30 businesses in developing and implementing effective net zero strategies. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the business drivers and benefits linked to Net Zero, and will be equipped to measure, prioritise, budget, and report on their carbon emissions. Companies will as part of the support develop their own low carbon action plans which will help them communicate their net zero ambitions.

Details about the sessions and support can be found here/first cohort of learners:

• 12-13 November 2024 - HQ, Chester
• 19-20 November 2024 - Meridian House, Winsford

More details of the event can be found here: https://racetozero.org.uk/pathways-to-net-zero/

Cllr Nathan Pardoe, Cabinet Member for Inclusive Economy, Regeneration and Digital Transformation said:

“Cheshire West and Chester Council are pleased to be able to support Groundwork with this project to provide advice and guidance to employers looking to adapt and adopt their working practices to become more energy efficient.

“It is really encouraging to see so many of our local businesses, from a variety of sectors, embracing net zero. Businesses are keen to develop their own skills, company plans and strategies. Initiatives like this will help Cheshire West become a more environmentally sustainable place to work.”

Greville Kelly, Director of Business Sustainability at Groundwork said:

"We are excited to be working with so many local companies to help businesses put practical actions in place around net-zero. There are a host of benefits for companies implementing low carbon plans including cost savings from energy efficiency and renewable energy projects, an enhanced corporate image to secure more business, reduced business risks and stronger employee retention related to the wish of many employees who are keen to work for companies with a positive plan of action about the environment and sustainability.”

For more information on the project, please see:
https://racetozero.org.uk/pathways-to-net-zero/

More information on UKSPF is available on the Council website:
People and Skills | Cheshire West and Chester Council

Cheshire West and Chester Council are supporting local businesses to move towards Net Zero.

The Council are allocating £70,000 of its UK Shared Prosperity Funding (UKSPF) to support Groundwork, an environmental charity, to work with local employers to develop low carbon action plans as part of its Low Carbon Capacity Building Programme.

The Council is aware that many local employers are keen to understand how they can become energy efficient, produce less waste and increase productivity. The assumption is that employers know what is needed and are able to source solutions, including training, but this is not always the case.

This programme enables employers to be proactive, developing their own capacity to carry out low carbon audits across their organisation, or on behalf of a group of organisations, producing an action plan and a focus which would enable them to reduce carbon emissions in the future.

The Council are also aware that many public sector procurement opportunities are now asking for applicants to demonstrate what they have done to date to become net zero, therefore this project could also lead to employers bidding and winning new work, increasing their longer-term financial viability.

In the past employers have relied on accessing external support to develop their plans, this project would enable them to take ownership of this important agenda and upskill their own staff capacity to deliver.

This project supports the “Greener Communities” theme of the Council’s Borough Plan and the Climate Emergency Action Plan.

The Low Carbon Capacity Building Programme will support 30 businesses in developing and implementing effective net zero strategies. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the business drivers and benefits linked to Net Zero, and will be equipped to measure, prioritise, budget, and report on their carbon emissions. Companies will as part of the support develop their own low carbon action plans which will help them communicate their net zero ambitions.

Details about the sessions and support can be found below:

8-9 October 2024 | HQ, Chester

22-23 October 2024 | Theartre Porto, Ellesmere Port

12-13 November 2024 | HQ, Chester

19-20 November 2024 | Meridian House, Winsford

More details of the event can be found here: https://racetozero.org.uk/pathways-to-net-zero/

Cllr Nathan Pardoe, Cabinet Member for Inclusive Economy, Regeneration and Digital Transformation said:

“Cheshire West and Chester Council are pleased to be able to support Groundwork with this project to provide advice and guidance to employers looking to adapt and adopt their working practices to become more energy efficient.

“It is really encouraging to see so many of our local businesses, from a variety of sectors, embracing net zero. Businesses are keen to develop their own skills, company plans and strategies. Initiatives like this will help Cheshire West become a more environmentally sustainable place to work.”

Greville Kelly, Director of Business Sustainability at Groundwork said:

"We are excited to be working with so many local companies to help businesses put practical actions in place around net-zero. There a host of benefits for companies implementing low carbon plans including cost savings from energy efficiency and renewable energy projects, an enhanced corporate image to secure more business, reduced business risks and stronger employee retention related to the wish of many employees who are keen to work for companies with a positive plan of action about the environment and sustainability.”

For more information on the project, please see: https://racetozero.org.uk/pathways-to-net-zero/

More information on UKSPF is available on the Council website: People and Skills | Cheshire West and Chester Council

Cheshire West and Chester Council has welcomed the news that the government has given a major decarbonisation project in the region the go ahead.

The HyNet project will help to unlock the decarbonisation of industry in the area, providing employment opportunities, whilst helping to reduce carbon emissions in the borough. The project will secure £5 billion of private sector capital to enable re-industrialisation of the region and help local companies compete in international low carbon markets.

HyNet is part of a £22bn pledge, over the next 25 years for projects to capture and store carbon emissions from energy, industry and hydrogen production. It will be focused on two 'carbon capture clusters' in Cheshire and Teesside, which will create thousands of jobs, attract private investment and help the UK meet climate goals.

The news was announced today by the Prime Minister, Chancellor and Secretary of State for Net Zero and Energy at Encirc, an international glass production plant, based in Elton in west Cheshire and a partner of HyNet.

Emissions from industrial processes make up the largest single component of west Cheshire’s total emissions and this project will help to kick start the area’s green industrial revolution and play its part in helping the borough become carbon neutral by 2045.

HyNet is one of the most significant transformational projects in ORIGIN Ellesmere Port, which consists of 1,300 businesses supporting employment for 24,100 people. There are four distinctive development zones, which have attracted multi-million investment to date including Regatta, Jaguar Land Rover / DHL, Westland Horticulture, Marks and Spencer, EET Fuels, Peel (Protos), URENCO, Cheshire Oaks and Stellantis. The ORIGIN area forecasts an increase to 1,463 businesses, providing employment for 30,000 people by 2040.

Councillor Louise Gittins, Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council, said: “This investment is a vitally important step in the country’s journey to net zero, and towards our local vision for creating the world’s first net zero industrial area in ORIGIN by 2040. Our aspiration is for a west Cheshire which avoids, reduces and mitigates carbon emissions at the earliest possible stage; using carbon capture and storage to manage residual emissions for critically important industries. The investment in hydrogen infrastructure enabled by the decision today will also support the medium-term transition to electrolytic hydrogen derived from renewable energy, ensuring we move towards a fully decarbonised energy system.

"It is important to make sure this major investment in our area provides benefits for local people, enabling them to access jobs and new opportunities and develop new skills for the green economy. We would also anticipate that this large-scale development will support our businesses through engagement with local supply chains. The Council will continue to champion this message to make sure that the positive impacts of the project are realised locally.”

David Parkin, Chair of the HyNet Alliance said: “HyNet was formed to meet the demands of industry wanting to decarbonise to deliver sustainable products and compete in the global low carbon economy. We need to decarbonise, not be de-industrialising, but by investing in the industries that we rely on for the every day products in our lives - from the glass bottles we use for our food and drink to the cement we use to build roads and buildings.

“Government’s commitment to HyNet will also enable generation of resilient low carbon power, right here in the industrial North West and North Wales, supporting its Clean Power 2030 Mission.

“This will create new roles and safeguard existing jobs, attracting investment and catalysing growth.”

Enterprise Cheshire and Warrington has worked closely with the Council and partners to secure this investment for the region.

Read the Government’s official announcement about the project here.

Residents of Cheshire are coming together to invest in renewable energy sources through a group-buying scheme for solar panels and battery storage.

Last year over 220 residents benefited from the Solar Together scheme in west Cheshire and now the scheme has reopened to help more homeowners with the opportunity to combat the increasing cost of living and volatile energy prices by generating clean energy.

Cheshire residents can join the group-buying scheme, which offers solar panels with optional battery storage and EV charge points, as well as retrofit battery storage for residents who have already invested in solar panels and are looking to get more from the renewable energy they generate. The scheme allows homeowners to increase their independence from the national grid and feel confident they are paying the right price for a high-quality installation from qualified installers.

In 2023 over 2,400 residents in the borough registered their interest in the scheme with each participant receiving a personalised estimation and recommendation for a solar panel system tailored to their energy needs and roof suitability. The price achieved for an average 14-panel system was 37% less than the typical market price for an equivalent system at the that time.

Residents can register for this year’s Solar Together scheme for free on the Solar Together website, and there is no obligation to go ahead with an installation. Local councils in Cheshire, including Cheshire West and Chester Council, Cheshire East Council and Warrington Borough Council, are working in partnership with iChoosr, experts in sustainable energy transition, to make the transition to clean energy as cost-effective and hassle-free as possible.

Councillor Louise Gittins, Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council, said: "We’re delighted with the success of the first round of the Solar Together Cheshire and Warrington scheme and how residents in the borough have embraced this renewable energy solution. This initiative is playing its part to help the borough to become carbon neutral by 2045 and has empowered more residents and businesses to install renewable energy solutions in their properties. Helping people to explore renewable energy options that can help with reduction in energy bills and improve the energy efficiency of local properties continues to be a priority. We look forward to seeing this initiative help more residents and businesses across the borough.”

Maureen Hobbs from Neston recently shared their experience with Solar Together and said: "My focus was on making a positive impact on the environment if possible. I was pleasantly surprised by how quickly the installation took place."

How does it work?

• Householders can register online to become part of the group for free and without obligation.
• Approved UK solar PV suppliers participate in a reverse auction. They are able to offer competitive pricing as the volume and geographic concentration makes it possible for them to realise greater efficiencies, which they pass on with lower prices for installations.
• After the auction, registered households will be emailed a personal recommendation which is specific to the details they submitted in their registration.
• If they choose to accept their recommendation, the specifics of their installation will be confirmed with a technical survey after which a date can be set for the installation of their solar PV system.
• Telephone and email helpdesks are on-hand throughout the whole process which, together with information sessions, will allow households to make an informed decision in a safe and hassle-free environment.

Marie-Louise Abretti, Solar Together UK Business Manager, added: “With energy prices continuing to fluctuate, residents of Cheshire are looking for opportunities to reduce their carbon emissions, save on energy bills, and increase their independence from the grid. The Solar Together group-buying scheme offers a straightforward way to make an informed decision and to access a competitive offer from a trusted, vetted provider.”

iChoosr has been collaborating with UK councils since 2015 on its Solar Together scheme, aiming to accelerate the energy transition nationwide. The initiative aims to encourage residents to partake in the collective purchase of solar PV and battery storage systems. To date, Solar Together has installed nearly 7,000 solar panels in Cheshire, reducing carbon emissions by 12,490 tonnes over 25 years – equivalent to 6,290 cars off the road in that time.

iChoosr’s schemes have been delivered in partnership with local authorities in five countries. More than 180 schemes have led to 178,000 residents installing solar PV systems.