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Environment

Greater Manchester launches pioneering green energy campaign

New campaign aims to save people money on their energy bills and help the environment at the same time.

Bury Council leader Cllr Rishi Shori, pictured at home, saved over £300 switching to a clean tariff through the Greater Manchester Big Clean Switch

Politicians from across Greater Manchester have switched their homes to clean electricity as part of a new campaign to save residents money on their energy bills and help the environment at the same time.

As well as all 10 Greater Manchester local authorities, a host of other organisations from across the city including football clubs, universities and businesses are backing the Greater Manchester Big Clean Switch campaign, the first of its kind in the UK.

The Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, has joined Bury Council leader Cllr Rishi Shori and Stockport Deputy Mayor Cllr Walter Brett in calling for residents to use the scheme to take advantage of ultra-competitive renewable energy tariffs.

The three of them have collectively saved over £1,000 a year by switching their homes to the cheapest clean deals.

For Andy, the clean energy campaign is part of meeting his ambition to make Greater Manchester one of the leading green cities in Europe.

“If just one in 100 homes across Greater Manchester switches to a clean tariff, that’s the carbon emissions equivalent of taking more than 10,000 cars off the road,” Andy said. “At the same time, I was genuinely surprised at how much we were able to save by switching our own home. If we can help others do the same, we can make Greater Manchester a cleaner, greener, more affordable city to live.”

Speaking from his home in Bury, Cllr Shori said: “There’s a common perception that renewable electricity is eye-wateringly expensive and that switching is a hassle. That couldn’t be further from the truth. It took me less than five minutes to get a quote and switch, and we saved over £300.

“This is a fantastic scheme for the people of Bury, and puts Greater Manchester on the map as a clean energy pioneer.”

A dedicated Greater Manchester Big Clean Switch website, www.bigcleanswitch.org/gm, has been set up to help residents compare clean energy prices and switch.

The average household saving during a September pilot was over £290 a year.

Cllr Brett said: “I was delighted to discover that I will save a whopping £419 a year by joining the Big Clean Switch. Just as important is the knowledge that we’re now buying 100% renewable electricity. I would encourage everyone to join the Big Clean Switch, it's good for your pocket and the environment.”

Here’s what some of the other people who took part in the pilot said:

“The savings I made were very, very substantial.” – Amer, Cheadle (saved £494/year)

“We’ll save around £500 a year.” – Lynden & Katie, Stockport (saved £531/year)

“The process was really easy.” – Jack, Manchester (saved £110/year)

“Just click, click, click – five minutes and done.” – Anna, Althrincham (saved £155/year)

Chris Fletcher, Director of Marketing and Campaigns at Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce said: “The publication of the government’s Clean Growth Strategy last week highlighted the increasing importance that low carbon industry is going to have to our economic prosperity, and Greater Manchester businesses are well-placed to play a leading role. What better way to support this growing sector than by helping local residents save money by switching to clean power?”

Cllr Alex Ganotis, leader of Stockport Council and Greater Manchester’s lead for environmental issues and climate change, said: “This is yet another example of Greater Manchester innovating to deliver on our environmental ambition. The Greater Manchester Big Clean Switch will show other cities around the UK - and the world - that’s it’s possible to save residents money and help the planet at the same time.” 

The campaign website includes a link to a whole-market comparison service to ensure that families on low incomes can access the best possible deals.

The new scheme is a partnership between the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and the Big Clean Switch campaign, which specialises in helping UK households switch to 100% renewable electricity. The programme is funded through commission paid by suppliers. This doesn’t affect the tariffs available, which will always be the same or better than those on the suppliers’ own websites, and a third of the money will be used by the GMCA to help fund environmental projects across the region.

In addition to all 10 local authorities in Greater Manchester, other local organisations backing the campaign include:

  • Adactus Homes
  • Barlcays Eagle Labs
  • 95.6 Bolton FM
  • Bolton Wanderers FC
  • Carbon Co-op
  • Manchester City of Trees
  • Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce
  • Greater Manchester Community Renewables
  • Greater Manchester Centre for Voluntary Organisation
  • I Love MCR
  • Manchester Climate Change Agency
  • Manchester Metropolitan University
  • NHS in Greater Manchester
  • Onward Housing
  • Pro-Manchester
  • Salford Red Devils
  • University of Salford

Article Published: 14/12/2018 09:22 AM