Purpose

In July 2024, the Environment and
Sustainability Committee approved plans to create a 'Sleeved Pool'
electricity contract. This arrangement would enable local renewable
energy producers, including the council itself, to supply
zero-carbon electricity directly to the council and other
customers. The new system was originally set to start in April
2025. However, challenges with procurement regulations have made it
necessary to take a different approach, which has delayed its
implementation. To address this, the committee approved in December
2024 an extension to the current electricity supply contracts,
giving more time to put the new plan into place. This approval
included provision for an initial six month extension, with the
option of a further six months if required. Due to the time needed
to resolve legal and procurement issues associated with the Sleeved
Pool approach, the planned go live date of October 2025 can no
longer be met. Consequently, it is now necessary to call off the
second contingency extension, as approved by the Committee in
December 2024.

Content

This decision covers the continuation of the
electricity supply to the larger councils sites (half-hourly
supply) under the Laser ‘sleeving’ arrangement for a
further six months, from October 2025 to March 2026
inclusive.

Alternative options considered

The option of putting a new electricity supply
contract out to tender for the additional six months has been ruled
out because it would not be cost-effective. A short-term contract
like this is unlikely to attract suitable bids, and any bids
received would probably be more expensive than simply continuing
with the current arrangements.