Almost £1 million has been clawed back by Perth and Kinross Council in energy consumption reductions in its buildings in the last six years.
Figures released by the local authority show a range of ‘energy efficiency’ measures led to an 11% drop in electricity and 25% in gas consumption between 2012/13 and 2016/17 financial years.
Council chiefs claim this equates to annual savings of £145,000 during this time.
They also state a further reduction of 3% was achieved between 2016/17 and the first nine months of 2017/18, equating to further savings of £135,000 in energy costs.
It makes the total saving some £860,000.
A council spokesperson said the savings had been achieved through a range of measures including turning down heating in their buildings and increased analysis of information on energy use.
She said: “A number of energy and water conservation projects were delivered by the council’s property services department during the 2017/18 financial year, helping to meet the local authority’s three per cent energy reduction target.
“Alongside this, there has been decreased energy use at the council’s Perth High Street headquarters since the building’s major refurbishment and upgrade was completed in 2016.”
Councillor Peter Barrett, a Liberal Democrat member of Perth and Kinross Council’s property sub-committee, expressed his delight at the announcement on energy savings.
“This is a very welcome announcement that reflects the impact that energy efficiency measures can have – from both a financial and environmental perspective,” he said.
“A range of steps have already been taken to cut energy consumption in our buildings with a clear effect on costs and our carbon footprint.”
He added: “The council will now be looking at further measures to control and monitor energy and water use, keep raising awareness of energy consumption and reduction. We will also be using low and zero carbon technologies in our new and refurbished buildings, particularly as opportunities to make savings will become more challenging in the future.”
