Ambitious plans to make Stockport ‘carbon neutral’ by 2038 have been handed a £1m boost after funding was secured for a number of renewable energy projects. The government has awarded the council more than £300,000 to develop a District Heat Network, which will use renewable energy to heat buildings in the town centre and along the A6 corridor.
Extra funding of more than £500,000 has also been landed to fit solar panels on council buildings - including Grand Central - and schools throughout the district. And there are further plans for Dial Park to become the first fully decarbonised school in the borough, by utilising ‘cutting edge technology’.
Coun Mark Roberts, cabinet member for climate change and environment, said the grants were ‘fantastic news for Stockport’ as it focuses on becoming carbon neutral by 2038. “District Heating Networks are just the kind of forward, future thinking that is needed for a cleaner, greener future if we stand any chance of averting adverse climate change," he said.
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"Innovative, future proofed concepts for tackling climate change must be designed and baked in from the outset. Decarbonisation at scale such as schemes like this, tackle one of the hardest to decarbonise sectors, in heat, and will deliver direct benefits for residents for generations to come. Locally produced power helps energy security too.”
