Renewable energy for public bodies

Electricity generated from 100% renewable resources will be available to schools, councils and similar-sized public sector bodies at the same price as electricity generated from fossil fuels.

British Gas and OGCbuying.solutions agreed that, as of 1 July, electricity from renewable energy sources would be available to public bodies of a certain size.

The chief executive of OGCbuying.solutions, Hugh Barrett, says the deal allows the public sector to buy electricity from renewable sources at highly competitive prices in a fluctuating market. “This contract is a good example of how harnessing government’s combined purchasing power can produce real value for money benefits for the taxpayer,” he said.

OGCbuying.solutions, the trading branch of the Office of Government Commerce, awarded the five-year contract extension in June. British Gas will be the main provider for contracts below 100kW. The agreement means a council office or primary school that has around 100 to 120 users, and which spends up to £12k a year, will be able to buy electricity from renewable sources.