The West of England has secured £3m of government cash to fund clean power projects across the region, it has announced.
The West of England Combined Authority (Weca) will receive £1m through its South West Zero Hub, in addition to an existing £1.3m. It is also set to get a further a further £700,000 for community energy projects, it said.
The Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust will also receive £295,000 through Great British Energy Solar, for solar panels on hospital rooftops or ground-mounted on their sites.
The funding will come from Great British Energy - the government's state-owned energy company.
Dan Norris, the Mayor of the West of England, said: “Communities in the West of England have already built our country’s largest on-shore wind turbine, powering a local charity and thousands of homes, while we also explore getting clean thermal power from disused mines.
“Great British Energy will further turbo-charge renewable power in our region, attract even more investment in green technology, create decent-paying jobs, and drive economic growth.
“We can save money on people’s energy bills, help the planet, and power our own future. Mayors working closely with the Government are crucial to delivering real change, and this latest investment is another step on the journey of national renewal.”
The members of Great British Energy’s start-up board met last week for the first time, as the government legislates to give the company powers to deliver projects to create more homegrown clean power.
Energy secretary Ed Miliband said: “Great British Energy’s first major project will be to help our vital public institutions save hundreds of millions on bills to reinvest on the frontline. Great British Energy will provide power for pupils and patients.
“Parents at the school gate and patients in hospitals will experience the difference Great British Energy can make. This is our clean energy superpower mission in action, with lower bills and energy security for our country.
Energy minister Michael Shanks added: “We’re backing our metro mayors to bid for a share of £10m and work with our new publicly owned company Great British Energy to roll out more clean, homegrown power."
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