New Government green grant scheme ‘a lifeline’ to gas guzzling public sector
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‘Gas guzzling’ hospitals, schools, police stations, councils offices and museums are being offered a new green energy lifeline by a leading renewable energy firm.
Stiebel Eltron is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of renewable energy heat pumps - a key weapon in the fight to drive down carbon emissions. For the first time funding for its products can be claimed by the public sector under the new Government grant scheme the Low Carbon Building Programme (LCBP) Phase II. Under the scheme organisations can apply for up to 50 per cent of the cost of installing approved green energy technologies up to a maximum of £200,000
Stiebel Eltron UK managing director Mark McManus says the public sector is already struggling to meet its target of cutting CO2 emissions by 30pc from its buildings by 2020 - the NHS is further aiming for a 60pc reduction by 2030.
“We already know from data released under the freedom of information act that public sector buildings, in England and Wales alone, are pumping out 11m tonnes of carbon dioxide – the equivalent of all the greenhouse gas emissions saved by the UK’s wind power industry,” said Mr McManus. “This is a grave and serious problem. Bluntly many public buildings are the equivalent of gas guzzling cars their energy efficiency is so poor. But this is where we can help. We can undertake an energy efficiency report of any public building for free. We can then detail a set of recommendations on how to cut carbon emissions and cut energy costs. And critically we can advise on how bodies can apply for the LCBP phase II to help meet the cost of going green.”
Mr McManus said almost 70pc of public offices have a larger carbon footprint than a typical office. While the Houses of Parliament and the Bank of England together consumed enough electricity and gas to emit 21,356 tonnes of CO2 a year - the equivalent of more than 14,000 people flying from London to New York.
Stiebel Eltron primarily manufacturers ground source heat pumps and air source heat pumps and solar panels. Ground source heat pumps transfer heat from the ground into a building to provide heating and hot water. Air source heat pumps absorb heat from outside to heat buildings and provide hot water. Neither pump uses oil or gas.
Heat pumps are important because they provide a green alternative to conventional heating which is responsible for almost half of UK energy use and carbon emissions. (see notes to editors)
For further information on Stiebel Eltron’s services for the public sector contact
Mark McManus: 0151 346 2300
email: mark.mcmanus@stiebel-eltron.co.uk
