Council’s carbon-neutral status depends on ‘green’ electricity deal.

Wiltshire Council says it’s on course to hit its target of becoming carbon neutral by 2030 – but only if it continues paying around £230,000 a year for a premium green electricity tariff.

The charge adds just over a penny per kilowatt hour to the council’s bill, funding renewable energy such as wind, solar and tidal power. Without it, the council admits its reported emissions would more than double.

At this week’s Cabinet meeting, opposition councillors questioned whether the extra cost was justified. Cllr Dominic Muns asked: “What do we actually get for our £230,000?”

Cabinet member for the environment, Cllr Paul Sample, said the tariff allows the council to report net zero emissions and is helping meet its 2030 goal.

Since declaring a climate emergency in 2019, Wiltshire Council has cut its direct emissions by almost 9,700 tonnes of CO₂ – an 89% reduction compared to 2014. It’s invested in cleaner buildings, solar panels, and an expanding electric vehicle fleet, including its first electric refuse truck now on trial.

Cllr Sample said: “Our carbon emissions are falling year on year. We’re leading by example and saving money through cleaner, more efficient services.”