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Energy

Part E of the Framework for Sustainable Development on the Government Estate (Framework), due to be published in 2003-04, will set targets for departmental energy consumption and sourcing. It will take account of the Government's 2003 Energy White Papers which together set out a national sustainable energy policy.

Total energy use figures for the Government Estate, covering all central Departments emissions of carbon through use of fossil fuels and electricity, are collected every year by the Buildings Research Establishment (BRE), in conjunction with Defra's Energy Efficiency Analysis Team. The information for 2002-03 is not yet available, but will be published on Defra's website shortly. Preliminary results indicate that overall, weather-corrected carbon emissions are three per cent down on the base year (1999-2000), in line with the interim target of a one per cent per annum reduction. These emissions changes do not include the effects of green electricity purchases, but arise principally from energy efficiency improvements, and occasionally changes in estate size. MOD has achieved reductions of seven per cent. The civil Departments collectively have increased emissions by some five per cent, due to a growing estate, but emissions per square metre of floor area have decreased by over five per cent.

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Renewable energy

Since 2001 Government Departments have been buying electricity from renewable sources - defined as sources that are exempt from the Climate Change Levy. The interim target of purchasing five per cent of electricity from such sources by March 2003 has been exceeded. It is planned to raise the target in the forthcoming energy section of the Framework.

Last year 13 Departments were purchasing energy from renewable sources. Now all 20 Departments purchase renewable electricity, with six Departments (CO, DfID, DfT, DoH, HMT and LOD) purchasing more than 50 per cent of their total energy use from such sources.

Four Departments (Defra, HMT, MoD and ODPM) have Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plants, although these supply less than ten per cent of their needs. Inland Revenue is considering installing a CHP scheme at a major site in Newcastle.

Energy efficient products are covered in the Procurement section of this Report.

Carbon emissions from transport are covered in the Travel section of this Report.

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HO Solar heating pilot

In March 2003, the Prison Service (HMPS, part of the Home Office for the purposes of this Report) completed a pilot study to install solar water heating at HMP Prescoed in Wales. The installation included two types of collectors - flat panel and evacuated tube - which were installed on three living units and the prison's kitchen. The object of the study is to assess the suitability of solar water heating in a prison environment and at the same time to measure its effectiveness for domestic and commercial loads. The installation includes automated data monitoring, and initial results should be available early in 2004. If successful, HMPS aims to provide accurate cost information to design teams on all prison building projects to encourage wider implementation of these schemes.

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Energy efficiency in the Royal Parks

Through effective energy management, the Royal Parks have reduced their carbon dioxide emissions by 1,150 tonnes per annum. This is equivalent to filling the Agency head office with CO₂ three times every week.

The Royal Parks procure 100 per cent of their power from renewable sources. Of this, 71 per cent is 'Dark Green' being obtained from zero emission sources (hydro and wind power). The remaining 21 per cent is classed as 'Light Green Energy' and is obtained from Landfill Gas and Waste to Energy sources. This means that The Royal Parks are exempt from paying the Climate Change Levy tax imposed on fossil fuel and natural gas generated electricity supplies. The additional cost of purchasing renewable electricity is offset by the savings made by not having to pay the tax.

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Departmental Data

For more detail on the how specific Departments within the UK Government are achieveing these targets, please access our Search Departmental Data section.

Report 2003

Updated: 07 March 2005