AN ambitious money-making scheme to 'cut out big energy companies and their profit' while making the borough cleaner is being considered by Warrington Borough Council.

Council bosses are looking to introduce a model in the town aimed at reducing energy costs and tackling fuel poverty.

Lynton Green, the authority's director of finance and information services, said it could deliver vital funding.

He added: "One thing we are looking at, at the moment, is linked to solar and how we can expand that wider into energy.

"If we think about all the energy Warrington as a whole consumes, a lot of it is dirty brown energy.

"We are looking to see if there is something we can do around investing in something solar but then using all that energy back into Warrington to make us self-sufficient with energy.

"If we do it ourselves we are cutting out the big energy companies and their profit, so will be providing cheaper energy for residents, while making a return.

"We would not use a model which puts the council at financial risk."

Warrington South MP David Mowat labelled it as an 'interesting idea' and 'one which is worthy of consideration'.

However, he has raised concerns and called for council figures to be cautious.

He said: "Very careful thought has to be given to the business model that is used.

"Exactly how much influence will elected councillors and council officers have over prices and investment and who picks up the bill when things go wrong?

"One issue with solar power in residential properties is that the panels tend to produce peak power when it is least needed – in the middle of the day.

"On a sunny day this produces a major headache for the National Grid, which then has to find ways of using the surplus power."

The Warrington Guardian understands a report containing firm plans could come before the executive board as early as June.