Solar so good

COMMUNITY groups could soon be making their own energy as part of ambitious plans to help Oldham go green.

Generation Oldham, which will be revealed at Monday’s cabinet meeting, will encourage groups to install energy-generating equipment and energy efficiency measures in their buildings.

The new measures could help Oldham to hit its target of reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 48 per cent over the next six years.

Oldham Youth Council would be directly involved in projects, to take advantage of future training and employment opportunities.

Councillor Abdul Jabbar, cabinet member for finance and human resources, said: “If approved Generation Oldham will raise the profile of sustainable energy production and energy efficiency locally and regionally. It will go a long way to assisting us to meet our targets.

In January the council approved a strategy for sustainable energy, which aims to maximise low-carbon energy generation across the borough and generate income for community projects.

Last month saw the launch of the Saddleworth Community Hydro Project at Dovestone Reservoir. The Greenfield beauty spot is now home to a water turbine which should generate 43KW of electricity for 90 per cent of the time — enough to power about 75 homes.