19 January 2021: Southwark press release announcing that the “Council today confirmed that all of the electricity in its offices and buildings, from the Town Hall to day centres and park huts, in addition to all of its street lighting, is now powered by 100 per cent renewable energy. Southwark is leading the way by ensuring that, as the largest council landlord in London, it is moving to more sustainable energy sources. Southwark Council’s electricity power source is changing to wind and solar farms, away from dirty fossil fuels, like coal.” The press release goes on to say that “Southwark Council is also working on renewable energy options for its schools and will be reaching out about this in a few months’ time.” No information is provided on the contract arrangements of this new renewable energy deal – however an August 2020 council paper ‘Contract Award Approval – Supply of gas and electricity to Southwark Council‘ sets out the detail – which includes:
- On 7 April 2020, Southwark’s Cabinet agreed for the council to use the London Energy Project (LEP)/Laser framework agreement for the supply of gas and electricity to the council”
- The Council has approved “the use of the Renewables Energy Guarantee of Origin (REGO) backed ‘green’ tariff for Corporate Estate (Schools, Civic Buildings, Street Lighting etc.), as part of the council’s commitment to carbon reduction”
- The premium for green electricity at this time is between £0.40 and £0.50 MWh for each REGO volume that is 100% renewable backed. The estimated annual financial impact of sourcing green REGO-backed electricity based
- on current consumption volumes is £10,000. This would cover the council’s corporate estate, including schools and community buildings.
- With regards to a green source of gas; this is not available at the moment in either the quantity, or the price that makes it a viable option for the council’s estate. This element will be reviewed within the annual performance reporting as the situation develops.