Northumberland
County Council's Climate
Change Action Plan
The Council has a Climate Change Action Plan 2021-2023, which sets the framework for achieving our ambitions. The next Climate Change Action Plan for 2024-26 is due to be published in Spring 2024 and will set out the most up-to-date targets of becoming a carbon neutral Council by 2030 and a net zero county by 2040.
The current plan sets out seven key action areas with strategic projects in each.
Navigate through the seven key action areas below to see key projects and development ongoing in these areas.
Priority area 5:
Renewable energy >
The Council takes great pride in Northumberland’s contribution to the UK's renewable energy provision.
Did you know...
Northumberland is:
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The home of the first hydroelectric project in the world at Cragside.
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Second in England for MWh generation in onshore wind
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Sixth in the UK for the number of solar photovoltaic sites
Energy Central Blyth>
Energy Central is a deep-water East Coast UK energy base located in Northumberland. It is delivered through a unique partnership between Advance Northumberland and the Port of Blyth. This partnership brings together:
Nearly 200 hectares of strategic, quay linked development sites.
The Port’s expertise in managing and supporting time-critical offshore energy projects.
National energy infrastructure including the North Sea Link UK/Norway Interconnector and National Grid assets.
Market access offshore energy developments in the North Sea including offshore wind projects
An extensive specialist supply chain capability Northumberland is set to and will play a key role in the North East’s transition to a growing clean energy sector.
The Energy Central Learning Hub
The Energy Central Learning Hub is a £11million facility in Blyth, creating opportunities for thousands of people interested in working in the clean energy sector.
The new 2,396sqm Hub will include major conferencing capabilities, events space, and a lecture theatre to encourage collaboration between employers, education institutions and research facilities.
The project is part of the £70 million Energising Blyth Programme and is funded by Northumberland County Council, HM Government Towns Fund and The North of Tyne Combined Authority. The Partnership includes Northumberland County Council, Port of Blyth, Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult and Advance Northumberland.
For the most up to date information on Blyth’s multimillion-pound regeneration visit Energising Blyth.
Solar projects >
Council buildings
More solar panels are being fitted on Council buildings as part of the local authority’s renewable energy programme with £378,000 worth of projects planned at Dene Park House, Stakeford Depot, Eddie Ferguson House, Riverside Centre, and Willowburn Leisure Centre.
Over the next 25 years, the energy savings will surpass the costs of these projects, saving over £440,000. Each installation will supply nearly a quarter of each building's energy needs and reduce carbon emissions by 42 tonnes annually.
County Hall carpark solar farm
The Council has installed a new state-of-the-art solar car port array - one of the biggest of its kind in the UK – at its headquarters at County Hall in Morpeth. The £3.8 million project (part-funded by the England European Regional Development Fund) includes the creation of 60 new EV chargepoints and a covered parking area with a canopy made from photovoltaic (PV) panels which will provide around 40% of County Hall’s electricity needs. Combined with existing solar panels on the building’s roof, approximately half of County Hall’s power will now come from the sun.
It is anticipated that each year between £100,000 and £150,000 could be saved on energy costs and 250 tonnes of carbon emissions could be cut.
Climate Change Policy Thematic Group
Our climate change policy thematic group ensures carbon reduction in all new policy development providing support and review for impactful decisions. It is a central point for reviewing key policy and procurement decisions that could impact climate change.
Blyth and Bedlington solar farms
The Council has approved two solar farms to be built on land to the west of Blyth and to the east of Low Horton in Bedlington. This will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by around 12,000 tonnes and provide energy to 15,000 homes per year. The installation will not harm trees, hedgerows, or habitats.
Additionally, the installers, Bluefield Renewable Energy Developments Ltd, plan to contribute around £350,000 to local community projects at each site.
Other projects >
District Heat Networks
We are investigating the viability of district heat networks across:
Blyth | Cramlington | Berwick-upon Tweed | Alnwick | Morpeth | Ashington | Hexham
We have received funding to undertake stage one heat mapping in Berwick-upon-Tweed, Alnwick, Morpeth, Ashington and Hexham.
Lynemouth civil engineering project
At Lynemouth a major civil engineering project is underway to convert the former coal fired power station into a full biomass which will generate enough renewable electricity to power over 400,000 homes.
Hexham hydro
A detailed feasibility study is being prepared to investigate the possibility of hydroelectricity generation on the Tyne River at Hexham. The project has developed initial designs which are currently going through consultation with both the Planning Authority and the Environment Agency.
