Local sourcing should be an energy goal too

By Lancashire For Shale

29 Jul 2019

10869520993_2f969f69b7_k.jpg

In recent years, there's been a concerted move towards local sourcing in recognition that shorter supply chains are, overall, more environmentally, socially and economically sustainable. 

The achievements of the so-called 'Preston Model' illustrate some of the benefits of local sourcing (read this report) such as the £112.3m retained in the local economy through progressive procurement activities. 

The Chartered Institue of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS) says in this guide  that it "strongly believes that sustainable procurement is a powerful driver for delivering improved economic, environmental and social outcomes" and that "maximum effectiveness is gained by a truly holistic perspective".

And Lancashire Business View has its 'Bring Back A Billion' campaign to encourage greater local spend by Lancashire's 52,000+ businesses.

We tend to think of local sourcing in terms of goods and services - buying 'things' and less tangible knowledge, experience and labour from nearby suppliers. 

But what about energy? 

In truth, most of us probably don't give a second thought to where our energy comes from as long as the lights come on at the flick of a switch and the central heating fires-up on cold winter mornings. 

The fact is, however, that the electricity and gas we rely on so much often travels over very long distances to reach us. 

For instance, we import electricity from France via sub-sea cables across the bed of the English Channel. 

Most of our gas travels even further - over half the gas we use is now imported, of which the majority currently comes via pipeline from Norway and Holland. But an increasing quantity arrives in the form of liquefied gas (LNG)  transported in ships from as far away as Qatar in the Middle East. The tanker journey from the Qatari Port of Ras Laffan to the Isle of Grain in Kent is over 7,000 nautical miles.

Relying on gas from abroad, transported over vast distances like this, whether in pipes or ships, means fewer UK jobs (social impact),  higher carbon emissions (environmental impact) and greater costs of supply (economic impact). 

If we apply the thinking behind the Preston Model, the CIPS guidance, and the aims of the Lancashire Business View campaign, it's immediately obvious that we should be putting more emphasis on locally sourced energy.

In that regard, Lancashire is blessed. We have the right terrain in parts (hilly) to support wind generation, the two nuclear reactors at Heysham, a lengthy 137 mile coastline with the potential to support wave power, the prospect of harnessing tidal energy near Fleetwood, vast tracts of agricultural land that could support anaerobic digestion of food and farm waste to produce biogas, and, it appears, an abundance of natural gas in the ground just waiting to be extracted.

We need a joined-up strategy for making the most of the energy resources that are indigenous to Lancashire, especially now the Government has legislated for the transition to a net zero emissions economy by 2050.

According to the Committee on Climate Change, getting to net zero emissions is going to rely, to a large extent, on running our homes,  businesses, trains and HGVs on clean-burning hyrdogen in the future. And guess what? Here again Lancashire has a major advantage: all that gas locked away in the Bowland shale. 

That's because the most cost-effective way to produce hydrogen at large scale relies on natural gas as a feedstock. 

If we are going to switch to a hydrogen economy as part of our transition to net zero emissions, it would be absurd, wouldn't it, to rely on LNG from Qatar that has twice the pre-combustion emissions of our own shale gas?

Just like the local sourcing of things such as in-season food and manufactured goods, the local sourcing of energy should be a priority too.

Enjoyed this? Read more from Lancashire For Shale

Latest news

1

Preston frozen dough brand has new celebrity shareholders Ant and Dec and Amy and Chris Cheadle

Preston frozen dough brand has new celebrity shareholders

18 Jul 2025

2

Wellbeing focused co-working space with its own pub in Burnley gets ready for launch Dave Scholes and Malcolm Ireland

Wellbeing focused co-working space with its own pub in Burnley gets ready for launch

18 Jul 2025

3

UK's pioneering Combat Air Flying Demonstrator is revealed Flying Combat Air Demonstrator

UK's pioneering Combat Air Flying Demonstrator is revealed

17 Jul 2025

4

A fresh brew for The Printed Cup Company The Printed Cup Company

A fresh brew for The Printed Cup Company

17 Jul 2025

5

Joe Diston from Beever and Struthers appointed to new Global IFRS leader for HLB International Joe Diston

Joe Diston from Beever and Struthers appointed to new Global IFRS leader for HLB International

17 Jul 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?
July Longer Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
29 Jul 2025 - 29 Jul 2025

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:30

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July
Longer July Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
31 Jul 2025 - 31 Jul 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – August 14th
Navy--Event Tile.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
14 Aug 2025 - 14 Aug 2025

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – August 14th

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 12:00

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Header (24).png.png
LBV Hub Networking
21 Aug 2025 - 21 Aug 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Mytton Fold, Langho, BB6 8AB

11:30 - 14:15

Morecambe Bay Walk
Walk.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Awards
30 Aug 2025 - 30 Aug 2025

Morecambe Bay Walk

Arnside, CARNFORTH, LA5

09:30 - 14:00

Cumbria Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880461633-4862066883-1-original.20241022-110415.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
19 Sep 2025 - 19 Sep 2025

Cumbria Business Expo 2025

Carlisle Racecourse, Carlisle, CA2 4TS

09:00 - 15:00

Help to grow management course
Help to grow - barriers to growth.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
26 Sep 2025 - 16 Dec 2025

Help to grow management course

Preston Campus , Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 15:00

North West Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880456273-4862066883-1-original.20241022-105445.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
24 Oct 2025 - 24 Oct 2025

North West Business Expo 2025

Bolton Stadium Hotel, Bolton, BL6 6SF

09:00 - 15:00

Lancashire Business Day 2025
241122lbvlancashiredaylhp0647web
Networking
27 Nov 2025

Lancashire Business Day 2025

Burnley FC , Burnley, BB10 4BX

12:00 - 17:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV122 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin