Yorkshire gets over £2.5m of clean energy funding

The funding will be put towards clean energy such as wind turbines and solar panels

Yorkshire's mayors have been awarded more than £2.5m by the government to invest in clean energy for libraries, schools, leisure centres and other public services.

Great British Energy, the government's clean energy company, announced that mayoral authorities across England would receive a share of a £10m grant.

The East Riding, North and West Yorkshire will receive £700,000 to invest in putting cleaner energy into its public services, while South Yorkshire will be given £572,025.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said the aim of the scheme was to help reduce energy bills.

He said: "Your local sports hall, library and community centre could have their energy bills cut by Great British Energy, the government's publicly-owned clean energy company.

"Our plans will mean more money can be spent on the services that make working people better off and help strengthen the ties that bind us in our communities."

Clean energy involves switching to energy sources that do not rely on greenhouse gas emissions or other pollutants for their production and use, such as solar panels, wind turbines and hydropower.

In North Yorkshire, the facilities that will benefit include Joseph Rowntree School in New Earswick, Jack Laugher Leisure Centre in Ripon and Whitby Leisure Centre.

Jack Laugher Leisure Centre in Ripon is among the facilities to benefit

North Yorkshire Mayor David Skaith said the money would be put towards "spending less on energy and more on supporting people".

He said: "We need to take action for our communities who suffer the devastation of flooding and for our farmers who face unpredictable weather.

"We are backing exciting projects that change how we heat our homes, produce electricity and grow our food."

'Lower bills and cleaner future'

Meanwhile in South Yorkshire, public spaces to benefit include Rotherham Outdoor Market and libraries, Bullcroft Memorial Hall in Doncaster and Hatchell Wood School, also in Doncaster.

South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard said the scheme would make the region "cleaner, greener and fairer".

He said: "The Rotherham Outdoor Market scheme is a brilliant example of how innovation can power local adaptation and resilience.

"By reducing emissions and energy costs, we're supporting the stallholders who are the beating heart of the market - helping them grow in the face of rising energy prices and making the market more attractive for both traders and shoppers.

"In Doncaster, solar panels on three local schools won't just save money, they'll help to educate the next generation."

And over in West Yorkshire, the police stations in Pudsey and Stainbeck, Sedbergh Sports Centre in Bradford and South Parade School in Ossett will get clean energy.

Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said moving to clean energy was a "key part of our plan to build a net-zero West Yorkshire by 2038".

She said: "This investment will make our public buildings greener, warmer, and cheaper to run – helping us save taxpayers' money and upgrade community spaces across the region."

The BBC has contacted Hull and East Yorkshire Mayor Luke Campbell for more information on which services would benefit from the grant.

Dan McGrail, the CEO of Great British Energy, added the clean energy scheme would make a "lasting positive impact for the country by creating new jobs, lower bills and a cleaner future".

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