Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 July 2014
435. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when the data for public sector energy use in 2011, 2012 and 2013 will be published; the reason for the delay in releasing this information; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32412/14]
View answerIn 2011, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and my Department commenced development of a comprehensive monitoring and reporting system to record each individual public body’s progress towards the 33% public sector energy efficiency target. A database of approximately 40,000 electricity and gas meters has been collected to enable the accurate gathering of public sector data. The database continues to be developed with meters being added and removed as necessary. The database is linked to the National Procurement service and will facilitate better procurement of energy supplies for the public sector.
A first report on public sector energy consumption was published in 2012 relating to 2010 data for 18 large public bodies and data gathered from electrical and gas meters submitted to the SEAI. The report was compiled using a manual system of data collection and verification. In order to simplify and accelerate the process, an online portal was developed over the course of 2012 and 2013 and rolled out earlier this year. Public bodies were subsequently asked to verify their meter points and report all of their energy use by May 2014. This data is currently being validated by the SEAI. It is anticipated that one report will be released for 2011, 2012 and 2013 towards the end of this year, with future annual reports being published every autumn following the year in question.
