30 November 2009
A new greener energy deal is set to bring Swindon
Borough Council savings on heating and lighting its buildings,
including schools, over the next three years.
The contract, worth £15million, sets a capped price, rather than
a fixed price, for the council’s energy. Savings made while buying
energy below the capped maximum during the course of the contract
will be shared between the energy buyer and the council on a yearly
basis.
This contract promises to deliver substantial savings
Some of the energy purchased will be from renewable sources,
while the rest will be ‘high-quality’ energy, from gas which has a
significantly lower carbon emission than other forms.
The deal has been agreed between the Swindon Capita Partnership
- through the Capita Symonds Energy team - and West Mercia
Supplies, a local authority purchasing consortium, and has an
option to be extended for two years beyond the already agreed
three.
As part of the Swindon Capita Partnership, the Capita Symonds
energy team were tasked with providing an energy contract intended
to mitigate the price risk in a highly volatile market. This
required considerable research and liaison with the client to
develop a new energy purchasing strategy.
Cllr Mark Edwards, Swindon Borough Council Cabinet Member for
Finance, said: “This contract promises to deliver substantial
savings over the life of the contract, and has been delivered by
the partnership between the council and Capita. The capped price
still brings us the same budgeting certainty as the old fixed price
deals, but also gives the prospect of savings, because the buyer is
encouraged to seek out the best deals throughout the year and will
share equally in any dividend from that with the council.”
The deal covers energy supplied to all council properties,
including offices, schools, leisure centres and depots. The council
also buys energy for some charitable organisations, such as Swindon
Women’s Aid, and community centres.