CHPA welcomes 10% CO2 emissions cut across central Government

• CHPA welcomes target for 10% CO2 emissions cut across central government
• Efficiency and effectiveness key during period of fiscal constraint
• Existing technology can deliver deeper cuts

The Combined Heat and Power Association (CHPA) welcomes today’s commitment, from new Prime Minister David Cameron, to ensure central government delivers CO2 savings of 10% over the next 12 months.
Welcoming today's commitment, Graham Meeks, Director of the CHPA stated:

"The Prime Minister is absolutely right to start 'at home', securing carbon savings across the Government estate.

The target he has set is readily achievable, with technologies such as CHP already capable of delivering primary energy reductions of at least 10%. At a time when we are also seeking deep cost savings in the public sector, the good news for Government is that combined heat and power is among the most cost effective carbon saving measures available1. And over time far greater savings can be achieved through the use of district heating – low-carbon infrastructure that is already commonplace in many cities across Europe.

This is a positive start, but in truth the Government should be prepared to set even more aggressive targets. With the right level of ambition from this new Government, we can build the low-carbon industry to deliver their goals.”

Today’s announcement comes only days after the Association issued its own 5 Point Plan of Action for the new Government. This included, amongst other measures, a call to ensure that energy savings must lead the way in delivering great efficiency across the public sector. The target of10% cuts across the central government estate, is a first step in the right direction.

- Ends -

Media contact
Tom Fern
Communications Manager
Email: tom.fern@chpa.co.uk
Tel: 020 7976 4296
Mobile: 07817 575 467

Notes to editor
1. Heat: Call for Evidence, BERR, 2008

About the CHPA
The Combined Heat and Power Association (CHPA) is one of the leading industry bodies active in the sustainable and clean energy sector. The Association is a representative body supported by member subscription. It has over 100 members active across a range of technologies and markets, from microCHP to major utility-scale energy plants serving industrial processes and city-wide district heating systems. Our aim is to support our members’ interests through the development and maintenance of positive market conditions for CHP and district heating. For more information about the CHPA see: http://www.chpa.co.uk.

About CHP & DH
Combined heat and power (CHP) – CHP integrates the production of usable heat and power (electricity), in one single, highly efficient process. Delivering a minimum of 10% energy savings, it makes the very best use of scarce and expensive renewable and fossil fuels. This efficiency means less stress on precious fuel resources and higher carbon savings.
The Government has a target to see 10 GWe of CHP capacity installed by 2010. The latest Government estimate of installed CHP capacity is 5.5 GWe (DUKES 2008). This accounted for some 7% of the UK’s electricity supply. Government estimates indicate that CHP saved between 10.8 and 14.4 million tonnes of CO2 in the same year.
The Government’s Energy White Paper also predicts an increase in the generation of electricity from new CHP plants to 15.5 GW by 2020. This is linked to an estimated reduction of 13 million tonnes of CO2 – already allocated against the Carbon Budget for 2018 to 2022 – and serves as an implicit target against which the government will need to adopt the policies and mechanisms to secure its delivery.
District heating and cooling (DHC) – A network of pipes distributing steam, hot or chilled water, district heating provides robust and flexible infrastructure, capable of bringing low-carbon heating and cooling to urban centres. Heat networks offer the prospect of maximum progress towards ‘zero-carbon’ standards in new-build housing and commercial development. They will increasingly become a strategic energy asset, with the flexibility to smooth peaks in heating demand and store surplus energy from a range of renewable electricity generators.