Tewkesbury Borough Council is taking a further step towards tackling climate change.
Over the coming months, the borough council will be installing an air source heating system at its Public Services Centre which will replace the building’s ageing gas boilers and remove the need for gas on site completely.
It is estimated that replacing all gas-fired boilers in the building with a more efficient electrical heating system will reduce greenhouse gas emissions from natural gas by around 100 tonnes annually (equivalent to 100 hot air balloons).
The project has been awarded £708,282 through the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme which is run by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and delivered by Salix Finance.
Tewkesbury Borough Council’s Deputy Leader and Lead Member for Clean and Green Environment, Councillor Sarah Hands, said “Following the installation of the solar canopy at the council offices in 2022, this will be another big step forward for us in reducing our reliance on fossil fuels, and demonstrates our commitment to having carbon neutral offices by 2030. We hope that this initiative will serve as an inspiring example, encouraging other public buildings to set their own ambitious carbon reduction goals.”
The borough council is pleased to be partnering on this project with local Gloucestershire contractor GSM Limited. Based in Newent, GSM Limited have 30 years’ experience working in heating and renewables, employing local people and providing them with green skills.
GSM Limited’s Renewable Energy Director, David Pratt, said “We are extremely pleased to be sharing the expertise of our highly trained engineers and technicians with Tewkesbury Borough Council in order to optimise the performance of their new heating design. We are also able to fabricate and assemble elements of the project in-house and have the added advantage of being a local company.”
George Richards client support officer at Salix Finance said: “We are delighted to support this project and work with Tewkesbury Borough Council as it progresses its journey to net zero.
“The project will not only help to meet critical carbon reduction targets, but will also make the buildings more comfortable places to visit and work in.”
For more information about how Tewkesbury Borough Council is addressing climate change, visit Climate change – Tewkesbury Borough Council