Energy usage and renewables
Energy usage per household
The average domestic consumption per household in Tonbridge and Malling was 4,172kWh in 2018. From 2015 to 2018 the average domestic consumption per household fell from 4469kWh to 4172kWh. Whilst domestic consumption has been falling on a per household basis, the number of households has been increasing.
For gas, the mean consumption (domestic and non-domestic) in Tonbridge and Malling in 2018 was 18,339GWh, higher than the Kent average of 18,291GWh. This is lower than in 2015 where the mean for Tonbridge and Malling was 18,533GWh. Gas remains the main source of domestic emissions and heating. The government has proposed to ban the installation of gas fired boilers in new homes from 2025, in a bid to tackle emissions. The retrofitting of existing dwellings to remove boilers in favour of low emission alternatives, does however remain a challenge that requires government support.
Renewable electricity
In Tonbridge and Malling (end of 2018) there were 1353 installation sites producing 40,011MWh of renewable electricity. Of these installation sites, 99.3 per cent were photovoltaic specific, however this accounted for just 29 per cent of the total renewable electricity generated. The remaining electricity came from the conversion of landfill gas (42 per cent), anaerobic digestion (18 per cent), sewage gas (9 per cent), plant biomas (<2 per cent) and onshore wind (<1 per cent).
Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) accreditation – the RHI is a government scheme that aims to encourage the uptake of renewable heat technologies amongst householders, communities and businesses through financial incentives. Between April 2014 and October 2019, 100 domestic installations have been accredited in Tonbridge and Malling 8 per cent of Kent and Medway’s total. Further work is required to accelerate the take up of low emission heating systems.
A commitment to reduce CO2 emissions needs to be made across all sectors. At Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council we will reduce emissions from energy consumption in all council buildings, in house fleet transport and staff travel. We are committed to fully embed carbon management within all Council policies and procedures and ensure that climate change is a recognised commitment within the Corporate Strategy. We will raise carbon management awareness to staff to reduce energy consumption. We will also incorporate the highest appropriate energy efficiency specifications into new buildings, equipment and contracts.
We are stakeholders in the Kent and Medway Energy and Low Emission Strategy and Climate Change strategy and our action plan will sit alongside these.