WREXHAM'S commitment to using green energy generated locally is being boosted under a deal with ScottishPower Manweb.
Wrexham County Borough Council, part of the North Wales Energy Partnership (NWEP), has substantially increased its supply of renewable energy via Welsh Green Source.
Welsh Green Source matches every unit of electricity used with energy generated from new renewable sources in Wales.
The council's commitment to green energy will reduce its impact on the environment by cutting harmful carbon dioxide emissions in the region of 1,900 tonnes a year - the equivalent of taking about 500 cars off the road.
The move follows the NWEP's decision to extend its existing three-year contract with ScottishPower Manweb by a further year, while at the same time increasing the amount of green energy it is supplied with from 30% to 50% of its total electricity consumption.
Under the deal, 360 sites operated by the council will have a large proportion of their electricity matched with generation from small hydro schemes, wind farms and landfill gas sites owned and contracted by Scottish-Power Manweb in Wales.
Gerry Magee, head of environment at ScottishPower Manweb, said: 'Scottish-Power Manweb is leading the way in helping its customers show they care about the environment and support investment in future energy sources.
'We are delighted at the number of businesses supporting local development in renewable energy by signing up to Welsh Green Source and this success has also been reflected in the growing numbers of domestic customers who have chosen to support Scot-tishPower Manweb's Green Energy H20 option, which comes at no extra cost.
'Welsh Green Source is supporting our drive to help the Government address global climate change through meeting its UK target of increasing renewable energy sources to 10% by 2010'.
Bill Jones, chairman of NWEP and Wrexham County Borough Council's principal energy efficiency officer, said: 'We are delighted to extend our contract with ScottishPower Manweb for a further year which will benefit public sector sites across Wrexham County Borough Council and allows us to lead by example and do our bit for the environment.
'As an NWEP member, we are always looking at ways of reducing environmental impact through all our business operations.'
