Reduced public building energy costs for Edinburgh

Edinburgh City Council has signed a contract with E.ON’s energy efficiency business to reduce on-site energy costs by 24 per cent at nine of the city’s public buildings.

Through the implementation of LED lighting and Combined Heat and Power (CHP) systems at the buildings, the programme is designed to save more than £330,000 in energy costs and reduce carbon emissions by more than 1,500 tonnes per year.

Other measures include efficient lighting and equipment upgrades such as more efficient variable speed drives, while new CHP engines in four schools with swimming pools will enable the buildings to generate their own electrical and heating needs on-site.

The buildings served in the programme include seven schools, the Usher Hall and UNESCO World Heritage Site the City Chambers.

Lesley Hinds, Edinburgh City Council’s Transport and Environment Committee convener, said: “We are delighted to be able to partner with E.ON in the development of projects that will result in more energy efficient buildings delivering a number of benefits to the council and its staff.

"This will be part of an ongoing programme of work initially supported by the Scottish Government and we will look forward to taking future phases of energy retrofits through the Scottish Government’s new framework.”

The £2.1 million partnership between the council and Matrix is part of the city's overarching aim to reduce carbon emissions by more than 40 per cent by 2020. The council’s 2020 objectives include more efficient energy consumption across all sectors by at least 12 per cent, and renewable energy technologies contributing to at least 40 per cent of energy consumed in the city.

Last year, Edinburgh City Council confirmed plans to install community-owned solar panels on 25 public buildings across the city.