Business Leaders discuss energy needs at Eden business breakfast

Business leaders gathered at North Lakes Hotel in Penrith last Thursday to discuss energy-related issues, as part of a business breakfast jointly organised by Eden District Council and Cumbria Chamber of Commerce.

During the breakfast, ran as part of the council's Inspiring Eden economic development programme, attendees heard presentations from Electricity North West and the CBEN Partnership.

Lynn Tracey, Net Zero Business Support Manager at Electricity North West (ENW), spoke about some of the key targets for cutting energy consumption in the region and the ways that businesses can play their part in achieving this. At a national level, the ambition is to have a decarbonised power sector by 2035 and a reduction in CO2 emissions of 68% by 2030. In addition, reference was made to ENW's 5 year plan for upgrading the electricity distribution network and how this should help businesses, especially those who must consume larger amounts of energy.

David Prentice and Philip Wanless from the CBEN Partnership spoke of their wide ranging work with businesses in Eden and further afield, helping them identify opportunities for reducing energy costs and carbon. The Greening Eden Business Grant, managed by Eden District Council in association with CBEN, has helped fund projects across a range of Eden businesses that will help reduce energy consumption and lower carbon footprints. Through the scheme, almost £200,000 of grant funding has been distributed to date for business-related projects in Eden. Over 50 carbon audits have also been carried out, to help local businesses to identify areas they can reduce their Carbon emissions.

Eden District Council's next business breakfast event, in partnership with Cumbria Chamber of Commerce, is planned for May and will take place in Penrith. To register your interest, email [email protected]

For more information on Inspiring Eden, the Council's plan to achieve rural excellence, visit our Inspiring Eden webpage.