MILLIONS of pounds have been saved due to Gwynedd Council’s energy conservation schemes.

The county council has been implementing energy-saving projects since 2010 in order to manage and reduce its ‘carbon footprint’ each year.

Reducing the council’s environmental impact means using less energy in council-owned buildings, using less fuel in vehicles, using less electricity for street lighting, and reducing waste generated from council buildings.

All these measures naturally reduce amount of bills the local authority must pay.

Much of the council’s energy saving measures have taken place in schools across Dwyfor and Meirionnydd.

Schools have been made more environmentally sound and the pupils have taken it upon themselves to help reduce their own carbon footprint by ensuring lights and computers are switched off (for example).

The council’s annual energy bill savings have now reached nearly £830,000, and cumulative savings over the seven year period totals £3.6 million.

“This is a fantastic achievement as a result of our thorough Carbon Management Plan, which was adopted in 2010,” said Cllr Dafydd Meurig, environment Cabinet member at Gwynedd Council.

As many energy saving projects have been realised, the council suggests it is becoming increasingly difficult to find ways of reducing energy use.

One of the main projects by the council’s Energy Conservation Team over the next few years is to closely monitor use at its sites so that any irregular energy use is spotted as soon as possible.

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