Energy Efficiency
As a significant operating cost and our largest environmental impact, we allocate significant resources to measuring & monitoring our electricity consumption to ensure we minimise its use. We are continuing to invest in more ever robust metering and our systems take us significantly beyond mandatory minimum requirements. We have a programme to reduce electricity consumption at our technical sites that has been running since 2006. In 2010/11 we significantly accelerated our programme of energy efficiency initiatives to include; site closure and network optimisation in addition to improvements to our cooling and power infrastructure already underway. These initiatives have saved over 20 GWh in a year.
We are planning other improvements that will save over 40 GWh in 20011/12. In addition we are considering a range of strategic energy initiatives that will change how we source, plan, manage and develop our energy infrastructure.
LOW CARBON ELECTRICITY
Previously, planning constraints and long payback periods have created barriers to the greater use of low carbon electricity. As the cost of electricity has risen, renewables have become a more viable way to reduce our carbon footprint. As part of our integrated carbon strategy, we are currently reviewing the potential of embedding renewable energy generation in our estate.
