The LAEP concept centres on the idea that tailored, place-based interventions are the best way to deliver a carbon neutral energy system cost-effectively and on-time, as well as providing additional benefits to local people, businesses and the environment.
The ten LAEPs for Greater Manchester set out priority areas for different elements of the city region’s energy system, identifying where specific technologies will be most effective, like heat pumps, heat networks, EV charging and targeted insulation schemes.
To get on track for its overall 2038 carbon neutral target, over the next five years Greater Manchester needs to:
Similar levels of interventions across public, commercial and industrial buildings and vehicle fleets will also be needed, including around 2.5GW of non-domestic solar PV in the same timeframe. All in all, the carbon neutral transition will require a total energy system and building level investment of approximately £65 billion.
The LAEPs are part of Greater Manchester’s Local Energy Market project, which aims to deliver a smarter local energy system that will revolutionise how energy is used, stored and distributed across the city region’s ten boroughs.
Cllr Martyn Cox, Greater Manchester lead for green city region and waste, said: “The need for us to make systematic changes to the way we produce and consume energy is absolutely vital and in Greater Manchester, we intend to drive that on a local level.
“Our plans reduce uncertainty around what changes and initiatives each district in Greater Manchester needs to make to drive us to a decarbonised future. By providing a strong roadmap and sense of direction, we want to encourage greater investment in low carbon technologies and business growth in sectors that support the net zero carbon transition.”