CREATING A LOW CARBON ECONOMY The Energy White Paper makes clear that local & regional bodies have a key role in shaping and delivering UK energy policy. It calls upon regions to develop ‘strategic approaches’ to energy for their region, based on a shared vision of the interaction between national policy and local and regional concerns, through partnerships between RDAs, regional assemblies, local government and other key stakeholders. A number of regions had already made progress towards a regional approach to energy before the Energy White Paper was published. In all regions this is built on an existing, well established base of sub-regional activity (this sub-regional activity is not, for the most part, described in this report). This progress has continued and accelerated since the publication of the White Paper. A description of key examples of activity so far in each region is set out below. Approaches have varied: seven regions have chosen to develop full energy or renewable energy strategies, whilst the others have so far preferred to concentrate on the way in which energy issues fit into existing strategies and functions. Seven regions have established or are establishing dedicated regional energy partnerships, whilst others have chosen to take forward energy issues through existing institutions. Five regions have supported dedicated, independent not for profit companies to lead on specific energy issues, or have plans to do so in future. Regions have also focused on different aspects of energy policy according to existing priorities. Many regions continue to focus strongly on the development of renewables, in anticipation of the economic benefits they might bring. But most have now begun to develop regional approaches to other issues, including energy efficiency. A number of regions also continue to have strong economic interests in specific aspects of the energy sector, such as oil and gas, coal and nuclear power. The National Framework If regions are to develop effective approaches to energy issues, national government needs to provide support. In particular: Ensuring regions are up to date with and can influence developments in national policy and assisting them in sharing information with each other. Where needed, providing clear advice on actions regions can undertake. Providing resources where necessary, including data vital for regions if they are to understand and take forward energy issues.One-to-one working or partnerships, which may be needed with specific regions on specific issues. Key national initiatives supporting regional implementation of the White Paper include: The establishment of a new Regional Energy Group as part of the Sustainable Energy Policy Network of departments and agencies taking forward the Energy White Paper. This group has a remit to input into the development of national energy policy, provide advice on how regional players can be better involved and share best practice. Each of the 9 English regions is represented, as is the LGA, RDA network, Government Offices and English Regions Network. More on the regional Overview Progress on regional implementation of the Energy White Paper 5 energy group and minutes of meetings can be found on the SEPN website. New liaison groups between DTI, RDAs and others supporting the energy industry at regional level on skills, innovation and supply chain gap analysis. This includes the work of the DTI Oil and Gas regional team and Renewables UK. DTI is also working closely with the NWDA on the establishment of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA).Continued support for regional planning facilitation for renewables. Every region received £100,000 towards this work in 2003/4, which helped to support a range of activity, including awareness raising events and GIS mapping. Consultation on a newly redrafted planning guidance on renewables, PPS22, which requires regions to develop regional targets on renewables and incorporate them into regional planning guidance. Agencies leading national programmes have continued and strengthened their regional presence. EST has begun to pilot a regional representative in the North East. The Environment Agency have continued to work proactively on energy issues at regional level, including developing GRIP (the Greenhouse Regional Inventory Project) in the North West and working with a number of regions on REWARD (the Regional & Welsh Appraisal for Resource Productivity & Development).Progress has continued on the collection and delivery of regional data on energy consumption. Regional level gas and electricity data were available at the end of 2003 and a second consultation has recently been held on the collection of local authority level data on electricity consumption. Government will be looking at the scope to produce further data sets as necessary.Agreement to establish a new Beacon Councils theme on Sustainable Energy to run in 2005/6. This will showcase councils who are taking innovative approaches to sustainable energy on both the demand and supply sides. 1. http://www.dti.gov.uk/energy/sepn/reg_energy_group.shtml. 2. http://www.og.dti.gov.uk/sponsorship/Regions.htm 3. http://www.dti.gov.uk/energy/renewables/renewables_uk/index.shtml 4. http://www.dti.gov.uk/energy/inform/regional_energy/index.shtml CREATING A LOW CARBON ECONOMY The South East Regional overview: Regional Gross Value Added 2001: £138,877million (2nd) Population 2002: 8,037,000 (1st) % of GVA from industry 2000: 22% (7th) Average gross weekly household income 2002: £630 (2nd) Energy Use: Total electricity distributed 2002: 44,437GWh (1st) Total gas sales 2002: 94,331GWh (2nd) Gas sales per customer (domestic): 20,435 KWh (2nd) Gas sales per customer (industry & commerce): 586,581 KWh (8th) Sustainable Energy Installations: Renewables generation 2002 (London and SE): 1,094.3GWh (joint 2nd) CHP generation 2002 (heat): 9,536GWh (2nd) CHP generation 2002 (electricity): 4,444GWh (1st) Fuel Poverty % of households in fuel poverty 2001 (housing benefit and ISMI incl. as income):6.7% (7th) Energy Efficiency of the Housing Stock Average SAP ratings 2001 (all dwellings): 50.5 (5th) % dwellings with a SAP rating under 30: 9.2% (4th) Activity in Specific Regions 5. http://www.southeast-ra.gov.uk/regional_policies/planning/energy.html 6. http://www.iwight.com/council/documents/renewable.pdf Regional contact: Sam Collins, GO-SE. E-mail: scollins.gose@go-regions.gov.uk 7. http://www.tvenergy.org/ 8. http://www.see-stats.org/index.htm 9. http://www.eastsussexcc.gov.uk/business/green/default.htm. East of England Overview: Regional Gross Value Added 2001: £85,775million (4th) Population 2002: 5,420,000 (4th) % GVA from industry 2000: 24.9% (6th) Average gross weekly household income: £538 (3rd) Energy Use: Total electricity distributed 2002: 31,076GWh(6th) Total gas sales 2002: 60,088GWh (6th) Gas sales per customer (domestic):20,249KWh (4th) Gas sales per customer (industry & commerce): 708,476KWh (6th) Sustainable Energy Installations Renewables generation 2002: 1,315.9GWh (1st) CHP generation 2002 (heat): 2,188GWh (7th) CHP generation 2002 (electricity): 1,064GWh(6th) Fuel Poverty % of households in fuel poverty 2001 (housing benefit and ISMI incl. as income):6.1% (8th) Energy Efficiency of the Housing Stock Average SAP ratings 2001 (all dwellings):50.8 (4th) % dwellings with a SAP rating under 30:9.1% (5th) 10. http://www.renewableseast.co.uk 11. http://www.greenenergy.org.uk/cri/ 12. http://www.cred-uk.org/ Regional contact: Jo Hefford, GO-East. E-mail: JHefford.GO-East@go-regions.gsi.gov.uk London Overview: Regional Gross Value Added 2001:£140,354million (1st) Population 2002: 7,355,000 (2nd) % GVA from industry 2000: 16.4% (8th) Average Gross Weekly Household Income:1999-2002: £676 (1st) Energy Use: Total electricity distributed 2002: 29,130 (7th) Total gas sales 2002: 88,474 (3rd) Gas sales per customer (domestic):19,436KWh (9th) Gas sales per customer (industry &commerce): 514,383KWh (9th) Sustainable Energy Installations Renewables generation 2002 (London and SE): 1,094GWh (joint 2nd) CHP generation 2002 (heat): 2,826GWh (5th) CHP generation 2002 (electricity): 986GWh (7th) Fuel Poverty % of households in fuel poverty 2001 (housing benefit and ISMI incl. as income):5.0% (9th) Energy Efficiency of the Housing Stock Average SAP ratings 2001 (all dwellings):52.8 (2nd) % dwellings with a SAP rating under 30: 6% (joint 7th) The Mayor of London’s energy strategy ‘Green light to clean power’ was published in March 2004.14 13. http://www.eeegr.com 14. http://www.london.gov.uk/mayor/strategies/energy/index.jsp). Regional contact: Joanna Dawes, GLA. E-mail: joanna.dawes@london.gov.uk 15. http://www.london.gov.uk/mayor/energy/london_renew.jsp 16. http://www.london.gov.uk/mayor/energy/hydrogen.jsp 17. http://www.london.gov.uk/mayor/strategies/sds/index.jsp. Yorkshire and Humber Overview:Regional Gross Value Added 2001:£61,929million (7th) Population 2002: 4,983 (6th) % GVA from industry: 30.9 (3rd) Average Gross Weekly Household Income 1999-2002: £444 (joint 7th) Energy Use: Total electricity distributed 2002: 35,179GWh (3rd) Total gas sales 2002: 72,942GWh (4th) Gas sales per customer (domestic):19,892KWh (7th) Gas sales per customer (industry & commerce): 963,211KWh (1st) Sustainable Energy Installations Renewables generation 2002: 552GWh (5th) CHP generation 2002 (heat): 6,624GWh (3rd) CHP generation 2002 (electricity): 3,554GWh(3rd) Fuel Poverty % of households in fuel poverty 2001 (housing benefit and ISMI incl. as income):11.2% (1st) Energy Efficiency of the Housing Stock Average SAP ratings 2001 (all dwellings):49.9 (6th) % dwellings with a SAP rating under 30:9.4% (joint 3rd) Regional contact: Les Saunders, GO-YH. E-mail: LJSAUNDERS.GOYH@go-regions.gsi.gov.uk North EastOverview: Regional Gross Value Added 2001:£27,729million (9th) Population 2002: 2,513,000 (9th) % GVA from industry: 33,2% (2nd) Average Gross Weekly Household Income 1999-2002: £406 (8th) Energy Use: Total electricity distributed 2002: 13,164GWh(9th) Total gas sales 2002: 34,966GWh (9th) Gas sales per customer (domestic):20,816KWh (1st) Gas sales per customer (industry &commerce): 919,296KWh (2nd) Sustainable Energy Installations Renewables generation 2002: 199.1GWh(8th) CHP generation 2002 (heat): 5,532GWh (4th) CHP generation 2002 (electricity): 2,867GWh(4th) Fuel Poverty % of households in fuel poverty 2001 (housing benefit and ISMI incl. as income):10.2% (3rd) Energy Efficiency of the Housing Stock Average SAP ratings 2001 (all dwellings): 53.2(1st) % dwellings with a SAP rating under 30: 6%(joint 7th) Contact Kate Foley at Enviros Consulting: kate.foley@enviros.com Regional contact: Kay Howes, GO-NE. E-mail: khowes.gone@go-regions.gsi.gov.uk. 19. Contact: scalvert.gone@go-regions.gsi.gov.uk. 20. http://www.northeastassembly.gov.uk/global/assets/documents/asset20031006101120.doc 21. http://www.nsp.org.uk/downloaddoc.asp?id=38 22. http://www.renewteesvalley.co.uk West Midlands Overview:Regional Gross Value Added 2001:£68,839million (5th) Population 2002: 5,304,000 (5th) % GVA from industry: 33.2% (joint 2nd) Average Gross Weekly Household Income 1999-2002: £476 (6th) Energy Use: Total electricity distributed 2002: 32,029GWh(5th) Total gas sales 2002: 68,365GWh (6th) Gas sales per customer (domestic):19,958KWh (6th) Gas sales per customer (industry & commerce): 860,042KWh (5th) Sustainable Energy Installations Renewables generation 2002: 753.9GWh(3rd) CHP generation 2002 (heat): 1,217GWh (9th) CHP generation 2002 (electricity): 437GWh(8th) Fuel Poverty % of households in fuel poverty 2001 (housing benefit and ISMI included as income): 10.9 (2nd) Energy Efficiency of the Housing Stock Average SAP ratings 2001 (all dwellings):48.8 (joint 7th) % dwellings with a SAP rating under 30:11.6% (joint 2nd) Regional contact: David Clarke, GO-WM. E-mail: DCLARKE.GOWM@go-regions.gsi.gov.uk 23. http://www.wmra.gov.uk/energy_strategy.htm East Midlands Overview:Regional Gross Value Added 2001:£55,394million (8th) Population 2002: 4,216,000 (8th) % GVA from industry: 34.7 (1st) Average Gross Weekly Household Income 1999-2002: £480 (5th) Energy Use: Total electricity distributed 2002: 17,927GWh(8th) Total gas sales 2002: 54,861GWh (7th) Gas sales per customer (domestic):20,149KWh (5th) Gas sales per customer (industry & commerce): 863,246KWh (4th) Sustainable Energy Installations Renewables generation 2002: 275.6GWh(7th) CHP generation 2002 (heat): 2,313GWh (6th) CHP generation 2002 (electricity): 1,320GWh(5th) Fuel Poverty % of households in fuel poverty 2001 (housing benefit and ISMI included as income): 9.0% (6th) Energy Efficiency of the Housing Stock Average SAP ratings 2001 (all dwellings): 48.8 (joint 7th) % dwellings with a SAP rating under 30:11.6% (joint 2nd) 24. http://www.eastmidlandsassembly.org.uk/ Regional contact: Helen Chadwick, East Midlands Regional Assembly. E-mail: Helen.Chadwick@emra.gov.uk. North West Overview:Regional Gross Value Added 2001:£87,584million (3rd) Population 2002: 6,771,000 (3rd) % GVA from industry: 30.6% (5th) Average Gross Weekly Household Income 1999-2002: £444 (joint 7th) Energy Use: Total electricity distributed 2002: 39,611GWh(2nd) Total gas sales 2002: 98,179GWh (1st) Gas sales per customer (domestic):20,284KWh (3rd) Gas sales per customer (industry & commerce): 891,326KWh (3rd) Sustainable Energy Installations Renewables generation 2002: 662.3 (4th) CHP generation 2002 (heat): 11,240GWh (1st) CHP generation 2002 (electricity): 3,979GWh(2nd) Fuel Poverty % of households in fuel poverty 2001 (housing benefit and ISMI included as income): 9.9% (4th) Energy Efficiency of the Housing Stock Average SAP ratings 2001 (all dwellings):51.4 (3rd) % dwellings with a SAP rating under 30:7.9% (6th) Regional contact: Stewart Longworth, GONW. E-mail: SLONGWORTH.GONW@go-regions.gsi.gov.uk 25. http://www.nwda-cms.net/DocumentUploads/FinalReport.pdf 26. http://www.nwda.co.uk/RelatedContent.aspx?area=133&subarea=349&item =200310093402426877 27. http://www.renewablesnorthwest.co.uk/index.aspx 28. http://www.dti.gov.uk/nuclearcleanup/ South West Overview:Regional Gross Value Added 2001:£63,554million (6th) Population 2002: 4,960,000 (7th) % GVA from industry: 28% (6th) Average Gross Weekly Household Income 1999-2002: £483 (4th) Energy Use: Total electricity distributed 2002: 32,528GWh (4th) Total gas consumed 2002: 46,158GWh (8th) Gas sales per customer (domestic):17,841KWh (8th) Gas sales per customer (industry & commerce): 672,854KWh (7th) Sustainable Energy Installations Renewables generation 2002: 514.6GWh(6th) CHP generation 2002 (heat): 1,434GWh (8th) CHP generation 2002 (electricity): 397GWh(9th) Fuel Poverty % of households in fuel poverty 2001 (housing benefit and ISMI included asincome): 9.8% (5th) Energy Efficiency of the Housing Stock Average SAP ratings 2001 (all dwellings):48.7 (8th) % dwellings with a SAP rating under 30:14.5% (1st) 29. http://www.oursouthwest.com/revision2010 30. http://www.regensw.co.uk/documents/rda-regen-main-brochure.pdf 31. http://www.cse.org.uk Regional contact: Mike Twomey, GO-SW. E-mail: mtwomey.gosw@go-regions.gsi.gov.uk. DTI Energy Trends September 2003: http://www.dti.gov.uk/energy/inform/energy_ trends/2003/sep_03.pdf DTI Energy Trends December 2003: http://www.dti.gov.uk/energy/inform/energy_ trends/2003/dec_03.pdf DTI/DEFRA Estimates of Fuel Poverty in England 2001: http://www.dti.gov.uk/energy/ consumers/fuel_poverty/england2001analysis.pdf ODPM English House Conditions Survey Regional Report: http://www.odpm.gov.uk/ stellent/groups/odpm_housing/documents/page/odpm_house_022944.pdf Office for National Statistics Regional Data: http://www.statistics.gov.uk/statbase/ explorer.asp? Annex B: Data Sources | 
