Blackburn with Darwen has been awarded a £2.25m grant from the Government Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme.

The Grant Scheme will offer a total of £1bn of grant funding which aligns with The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS)’ new mission and priorities: fighting coronavirus, backing business, unleashing innovation, and tackling climate change. The scheme will also encourage green investment, supporting the Government’s net-zero and clean growth goals.

With this Capital Grant, Blackburn with Darwen council will be able to upgrade and replace older and inefficient heating, lighting, and building management systems, as well as install solar PV panels on some of the buildings owned and operated by the council.  This is expected to save 290 tonnes of carbon dioxide a year and reduce energy bills by an estimated £200,000 per year. 

This is great news for the Environment AND great news for Council finances as the saving of £200,000 can be allocated elsewhere in the Council budget.  

Cllr Paul Marrow said "It is great news that Blackburn with Darwen Council has been awarded £2.25 million from the Government's decarbonisation scheme to support the modernisation of heating, lighting, and use of solar along with upgrading building management systems, in 10 council-run buildings across the Borough. It is a fantastic Government scheme that will reduce the council's carbon dioxide footprint by 290 tonnes a year and save the council £200,000 per year"