Denbighshire County Council's cabinet has endorsed a plan to decarbonise the county's energy system.

The local area energy plan (LAEP) was put together with Arup, The Carbon Trust, and Afallen, with input from stakeholders since April 2023.

The LAEP is an evidence-based plan that outlines the changes needed to decarbonise Denbighshire’s energy system.

Workshops were held to discuss the current energy system, consider future possibilities, and explore how the council and partners can work together to create a decarbonised energy system.

Cllr Barry Mellor, lead member for environment and transport and council biodiversity champion, said: “We all have a role to play in shaping Denbighshire and Wales’s transition to Net Zero, and as a Council we understand how important it will be for us to do this in a way that protects and supports our most vulnerable communities, and delivers additional benefits, such as improved health and employment opportunities across the county.

"Having a LAEP for Denbighshire brings our local energy planning perspective to the regional and national energy infrastructure planning done by others and ensures that our local priorities remain at the heart of the energy transition."

The LAEP will help identify products, partnerships, or services that could be delivered in the local area, highlight areas with significant potential to developers, and better prepare organisations for public funding opportunities.

It will also inform regional views and decision-making to achieve a cost-effective transition or strengthen the case for necessary policy changes at the UK government level.

Cllr Mellor added: “We are motivated to continue the drive to Net Zero at a local level and we acknowledge our role as convener and co-ordinator, to motivate others to do the same.

“It is important we as a Council set goals to the drive to a greener future."