Council flat out out with climate change work

SOLAR panels and biomass power sites generated £460,000 for Dumfries and Galloway Council last year.

To meet their carbon reduction targets, the local authority are involved in a variety of projects, including operating solar power sites across the region, and making council buildings more energy efficient.

They have 27 solar locations, along with ten biomass power sites, all creating renewable energy.

In addition, they have generated an income of £460,000 through exporting to the grid.

An update on the situation will be given to the council’s new climate, environment and biodiversity sub committee at its first meeting next week.

And a report for that meeting outlines positive developments over the past year, including a reduction in stationary/building emissions and waste emissions.

Other success stories are the regionwide kerbside collection service for dry recyclates and the food waste collection service.

The report reveals both have resulted in a reduction of circa 74 tCO2e (tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent) from waste going to landfill in 2024/25.

It also notes that solar panels on the nursery building at Noblehill Primary generated 6729 kWh of electricity during 2024/25, equivalent to a saving of £1200 on electricity costs.

Meanwhile, work is ongoing at Dumfries Ice Bowl, following a successful £2.5 million bid to the Salix Public Sector Heat Decarbonising Fund.

The money is being used to make building more energy efficient and to reduce carbon emissions. It’s due to complete in December but will reopen next month.

The council’s target is for a 75 percent reduction on carbon emissions by 2027; a 90 percent reduction by 2031; and to be a carbon neutral organisation by 2033.

To help achieve this they now have 81 fully electric vehicles, have reduced the estate by ten sites, and are rolling out an LED lighting project at 72 locations.