Energy Efficiency in the Education Sector

In Northern Ireland energy costs for public sector bodies in 1997-98 were £57.6 million with the education sector accounting for £18.3 million. Since 1991 targets have been set to reduce energy consumption. In 1993, NIAO examined the progress that had been made by the education sector in meeting its targets and found that, against a three per cent target for reduction, consumption actually increased by two per cent.

This current report examined progress against a target set in 1996 of a 20 per cent improvement in energy performance by 1999-2000 from a base year of 1990-91, and recommendations made by NIAO in the 1993 report.

The main findings were:

The energy efficiency performance of the Education and Library Boards improved significantly in 1998-99, although they are unlikely to meet the Government's target of 20 per cent. From the 1990/91 base year up to 1997-98 the Education and Library Boards (the Boards) achieved an average improvement of 4.9 per cent but this increased to 8.8 per cent by 1998-99. There were a number of limiting factors which affected overall progress by the Boards, particularly the increased use of IT equipment and security systems. In 1998 the Department of Education urged the Boards to review their strategies and continue the drive towards achievement of the target. NIAO has endorsed this objective. Most of the other NDPBs in the education sector have met or are close to meeting their target.

Expenditure by the Boards on energy consumption has reduced by some £2 million per year. These savings are retained for the benefit of the education service. NIAO has suggested that a further £1.6 million could be saved if the 20 per cent target was met although it accepts that this would require an additional capital investment of some £5.5 million. The Department of Education said that it is committed to increased investment in support of the drive for greater energy efficiency in the schools estate.

Not all education establishments are setting individual targets for energy efficiency improvements and the Boards are reporting progress in different formats. NIAO recommends that individuals targets be set at local level and that a common reporting format is agreed.

In its 1993 report NIAO noted that none of the Boards had completed a comprehensive energy survey to determine where investment is needed. Currently, surveys have been completed for only about 25 per cent of the education estate. NIAO recommends that there should be up-to-date information on the whole estate to help inform decisions on energy efficiency measures.