Sheffield aims to become the UK’s first self-sufficient energy city by 2021 following a proposal by the city council.

The council will work with energy giant E.On and the city’s two universities to find low-carbon energy sources for Sheffield.
One of the proposals is the “Feed-in Tariff”, where people can sell energy produced from solar panels or wind turbines on their homes.

Others include wind turbines, energy from biomass, and solar panels on every Sheffield business.

New jobs and power plants

The council says these proposals will create 12,240 jobs in a market worth £1,620million.

E.On plans to build a £100million waste wood energy plant in Blackburn Meadows, in the east of Sheffield.

The council said the city already generates some of its own energy at the Energy Recovery Facility on Bernard Road, which provides heat and electricity.

The proposal was passed at the council’s cabinet meeting last Thursday.

Councillors welcome E.On

Speaking at the meeting, Councillor for Climate Change Andrew Sangar said: “I am very pleased to welcome the support from E.On.

“Clearly if we are going to change the nature of energy supply in Sheffield it has got to be done at a number of levels.

“We also want to enable low carbon businesses to thrive and for the city to develop as a centre of excellence for low carbon and environmental technologies that will attract inward investment to the city.”

University energy research

The University of Sheffield is currently working on a number of low-carbon energy sources, including developing biodiesel from algae.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg recently opened a solar farm on top of the University’s Hicks Building.

Professor Richard Jones, Pro-Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation at the University of Sheffield said: ““We’re very happy to be working with the city to reduce its energy impact.”

Energy and Climate Secretary Chris Huhne recently visited Sheffield to discuss the proposals.

He said: “Sheffield really is a pioneer in coming up with this vision to move towards a decentralised, low carbon economy for the future.”

The council aims to produce an energy action plan by August.