Electricity North West (ENW) is to lead by example by switching the electricity powering its sites to renewables.
Depots and offices owned by ENW are now being powered by renewable electricity generated from Walney Wind Farm off the coast of Cumbria.
The switch falls in line with ENW’s ‘Leading the North West to Zero Carbon’ plan, helping ENW to take a “significant step” towards becoming carbon neutral.
The distribution network operator (DNO) has set a target of becoming carbon neutral by 2038. It plans on helping the north west region become carbon neutral by 2050, and Greater Manchester by 2038.
Helen Boyle, strategic decarbonisation manager at Electricity North West, said whilst the target is ambitious “it can be achieved” and the switch is “a huge step in the right direction”.
“As the region’s electricity network operator, we’re at the forefront of helping the region meet its carbon neutral targets.
“We’re constantly investing in new technology as the North West moves away from fossil fuels and uses more renewable electricity for things like transport and heating – we’re making sure our network can handle that huge expected increase in electricity demand so that we can all benefit,” she added.
The sale of ENW completed earlier this month after a consortium led by Japanese utility Kansai Electric Power, infrastructure investor Equitix and Hong Kong-based investor CNIC acquired the outstanding 50% of shares, taking full control of the firm.
