Vivo thinks green with new energy contract

Cheshire West and Chester Council company Vivo Care Choices has signed a renewable energy contract to help create a greener and cleaner environment.

As part of its newly-launched Carbon Neutral Plan for 2020-25 to support the Council’s Climate Emergency campaign, Vivo will be using 100 per cent renewable energy from April 2021 through a partnership with Chester-based Outsourced Utilities Limited.

Vivo’s Plan sets out for the organisation to become carbon neutral by 2025, with renewable energy one of the 12 key actions being put in place. Others include measuring its carbon footprint, using light-emitting diode (LED) lighting and solar panels, and contributing a percentage of Community Fund grants to environmental projects.

Vivo will be working closely with fellow Council company Qwest Services on a number of different projects throughout the journey to become carbon neutral by 2025.

Alistair Jeffs, Managing Director of Vivo, said: “This new renewable energy contract is an important part of our commitment to making sure Vivo becomes carbon neutral by 2025.

“We want to do everything we can to support the Council’s Climate Emergency as it is important everyone plays their part.

“Not only has Owen and his team at Outsourced Utilities helped us put one of our 12 key actions in place, but it is going to save Vivo a significant amount of money in the long term.

“We will be putting many new things in place over the coming weeks and months as part of our Carbon Neutral Plan.”

Owen Davies, Managing Director and Founder of Outsourced Utilities, added: “I am delighted Vivo has made a conscious decision to ‘Go Green’ with this new contract.

“I am hopeful this will encourage other organisations in west Cheshire to consider switching to renewable source energy contracts in support of a more sustainable future.”

In May 2019, the Council declared the borough is in a Climate Emergency and recently set a target of 2045 for it to become carbon neutral.

Councillor Matt Bryan, Cabinet Member for Climate Emergency, said: “Like we are seeing in the response to coronavirus (COVID-19), it is important we all work together to tackle the Climate Emergency.

“It is fantastic to see one of our Council companies getting fully on board with our campaign and doing its bit to create a greener environment.

“Our campaign is all about asking people to look at what they’re doing and seeing whether there is a more sustainable alternative.

“Things like using 100 per cent renewable energy can make a significant difference to our environment in the long term and create a more prosperous future for everyone.”

Vivo Care Choices provides a range of flexible and responsive support for adults with learning disabilities and autism and older people, including those with dementia.

Delivering services across west Cheshire, Vivo supports more than 650 people in community settings, buildings and homes and employs nearly 600 people.

For more information about Vivo, visit: vivocarechoices.co.uk.