Harrogate could become a haven for renewable energy and some villages could even come off the grid and power themselves, according to the managing director of a local energy firm.
Mike Kaye, managing director of Energy Oasis, said the Harrogate district could make greater use of solar panels and wind turbines.
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Renewable energy is a big issue at the moment: Harrogate Borough Council aims to have a net zero-carbon economy by 2038. Pressure groups, such as Extinction Rebellion, have been campaigning locally for more to be done to combat the climate emergency.
Reducing wasted energy will be essential to achieving these aims.
Small villages, such as Marton-cum-Grafton, are ideally placed to come off the grid completely, according to Mr Kaye.
“It would be difficult to take the whole of Harrogate off grid but there are some small villages which could power themselves quite easily. It just takes some solar panels and wind turbines. That way you have power generating all year round. I think that with enough political will the whole of Yorkshire could become carbon neutral in a few years.”
Mr Kaye added that more energy-efficient council buildings would save the taxpayer millions of pounds each year.
His firm has already replaced the lighting at the council’s Springfield Avenue car park, which Mr Kaye claimed saved £14,000 a year.
