The Office of Public Works (OPW) has demonstrated significant success with regard to energy efficiency in its portfolio of buildings over many years. The bulk of the savings have been achieved through a large scale staff energy awareness campaign (Optimising Power @ Work). Launched in 2008 the campaign operates in over 275 large Central Government buildings (this covers approximately 80% of the energy usage in the OPW portfolio). Average energy savings of over 25% have been achieved through this initiative.
Since 2017, the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communication (DECC) through the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) have provided significant funding for energy efficiency retrofit projects in central government buildings. The programme is a joint venture between DECC/SEAI and OPW. The energy retrofits carried out, mainly comprised lighting, heating and controls systems upgrades.
The OPW is currently working with SEAI to secure additional funding (€20M) over a 3-year period for deeper energy retrofit pathfinder projects in OPW buildings. In addition to the type of upgrades carried out in the previous programme, the new projects will also include substantial building fabric and air tightness upgrades. The energy standard that will be required in these projects will be to achieve a minimum BER B after the energy retrofit works are complete.
The table attached, shows the office buildings managed by the Office of Public Works (owned and leased) which are occupied by the various Government Departments and agencies, the Display Energy Certificate energy rating (where available) and the amounts to date received under the DECC/SEAI/OPW public sector energy efficiency programme.
OPW Office Buildings
