Electricity North West, the region’s electricity network operator, will launch its transformative plan for decarbonising the region at Manchester’s Green Summit. Titled ‘Leading the North West to Zero Carbon’, the plan will be presented by the company’s CEO, Peter Emery, who will also be asking summit delegates what they can do to encourage and lead businesses to maximise the opportunities to generate their own energy and decarbonise Greater Manchester.

Peter Emery, CEO, Electricity North West commented: “Electricity demand in our region could nearly double by 2050 which is an increase in power equivalent to one new nuclear power station. We are therefore launching our vision for how we will create and manage a dynamic and interactive electricity network to meet these demands while also hitting our zero carbon target for the whole region, not just Greater Manchester.

“We already invest £1m a day in the North West’s power network, and as part of our plan to lead the North West to zero carbon we’re committing an additional £63.5m over the next four years. We’ll use this fund to drive energy initiatives working in partnership with Manchester City Council, the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and other councils and authorities, as well as the companies who are investing and innovating in this area.”

Lucy Powell, MP for Central Manchester and chair of the Greater Manchester All Party Parliamentary Group said: “The electricity infrastructure in the region is critical to enabling people and businesses to move to low carbon options. If we are to meet the ambitious targets set out to be carbon neutral by 2038 then that means enabling a huge increase in electric car use and in generating our own power in the region through solar panels and other means. I’m delighted Electricity North West is helping to lead this conversation and is taking action to help us all get there.”

In leading organisations to achieve decarbonisation, Electricity North West will continue to invest in critical schemes and initiatives to support communities, business, network upgrades and innovation. Current investments and initiatives include:

• £71,000 in Community Energy grant funds which have been awarded to six community energy projects across the North West.
• £104m in Greater Manchester power network upgrade projects.
• Working together on a transport strategy that supports a significant transition to electric vehicles, alongside Metrolink integration.
• The enabling of distributed generation and heat with the development of a capacity strategy aligning with the Greater Manchester Smart Energy Plan.
• Commitment to a major infrastructure investment to the City Centre, the Northern Quarter, the Etihad Campus and the South Manchester Enterprise Zone.

Electricity North West is one of the ‘pioneer’ organisations engaged by Manchester City Council and who have signed up to the zero carbon 2038 ambitions. Other organisations include: Bruntwood; Healthcare (NHS); Manchester City Council; Manchester City Football Club; Manchester Metropolitan University and University of Manchester.

To maintain its position at the forefront of energy innovation, Electricity North West constantly researches and models the network capacity that will be required. In 2018 the company published its first ‘distribution future electicity scenarios’ showing how demand for electricity is likely to develop over time and helps inform planning to ensure the grid can meet demand.

For further information about Electricity North West’s regional decarbonisation strategy, visit: www.enwl.co.uk/zerocarbon