Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 July 2022
484. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the actions and engagements that his Department has taken to date to reduce carbon emissions and increase energy efficiency in all buildings under his Department. [40917/22]
View answerThe OPW has achieved significant success with regard to energy efficiency and reduction of carbon emissions 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 280 large Central Government buildings (this covers approximately 80% of the energy usage in the OPW portfolio). The main focus of the programme is to encourage behavioural change of the building occupants, optimise existing control systems and eliminate energy wastage. Annual average energy savings of over 25% have been achieved. Since 2017 DECC have provided €20.5M funding for an energy efficiency retrofit programme in central government buildings. The programme is a joint venture between DECC/SEAI and OPW. To date, over 75 large buildings have been retrofitted (mainly lighting, heating and controls projects). In addition, 28 smaller buildings have been upgraded.
The OPW is currently working with SEAI to secure significant additional funding (€30M) over a 3-year period for deeper energy retrofit (fabric + air tightness+ M&E) pathfinder projects in OPW buildings. The OPW has also been allocated funding from the National Recovery and Resilience Planning fund of €99M of which €55M will be used for similar deep energy retrofit projects. One of the key projects under this programme is the Deep Retrofit of Tom Johnson House in Dublin (formerly used to accommodate the State’s Labour Relations bodies) which is currently on site. On completion of the project, the newly refurbished building will be an exemplar in energy efficiency, with a projected 75% reduction in primary energy usage, and will be the new headquarters of the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications.
