Trust to break upward trend in public sector electricity consumption

Public sector electricity consumption in Denmark has been rising steadily by 1% every year since 1997. More and more IT equipment in public sector office landscapes and in institutions is largely responsible for the upward trend. The Trust’s stated objective is to break this curve by 2009 to enable public sector electricity consumption to fall. To implement this ambitious target the Trust has developed a new concept – the so-called Curve Breaker Agreement.
 
The Trust’s 10th Anniversary was the perfect setting for seven local authorities and institutions to sign Curve Breaker Agreements with the Trust. Danish State Railways, the Danish Ministry of the Environment, the Municipalities of Ballerup and Frederikshavn were just some of those that signed agreements that committed their organisations to reduce electricity consumption within a couple of years.

Public sector institutions take responsibility
‘Curve Breaker Agreements are for institutions that want to take active responsibility for breaking the upward curve in public sector electricity consumption. These public sector institutions want to base their actions on the Danish government’s energy targets and reduce electricity consumption, with benefits for both the public sector electricity bill and the environment,’ says Christian Jarby, Manager for Public Sector Affairs at the Trust, who continues:

‘The potential for saving electricity in the public sector is enormous, and calculations show that annual savings of up to 228 million Euros can be made in the operational and purchasing areas, and by promoting energy efficient behaviour. Curve Breaker Agreements can play a part in achieving savings, which is why we are calling on all public sector institutions in Denmark to sign an agreement and set some binding targets for reductions in electricity consumption.’

Tremendous interest in Curve Breaker Agreements
Although only a few months old, the Trust’s offer of a Curve Breaker Agreement has already attracted a high level of interest from a broad cross section of public sector institutions interested in this agreement concept. To date, 16 public sector institutions have signed agreements with the Trust, with many more registering an interest.

‘It is important to break the upward trend in public sector electricity consumption – for the sake of  both the public sector electricity bill and the environment. The Trust’s curve breaker concept can ensure that the total amount of electricity used by the public sector will fall once we have enough agreements signed. It is just a simple as that, which is why we are very pleased with the tremendous interest taken in our new concept,’ concludes Christian Jarby.

Local authorities and institutions that signed Curve Breaker Agreements at the Trust’s 10th Anniversary celebrations:

• The Municipality of Ballerup
• The Municipality of  Frederikshavn
• The Danish Consumer Council
• The Nordic Council of Ministers
• Danish State Railways
• The Danish Society of Engineers, IDA
• The Danish Ministry of the Environment

Local authorities and institutions that have signed a Curve Breaker Agreement previously:

• South Sealand Hospital Group
• Copenhagen Fire Brigade
• The National Consumer Agency
• The Municipality of Copenhagen – Employment and Integration Department and Social Services Department
• The Municipality of Lyngby Tårbæk
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark
• The Municipality of Fanø
• The Municipality of Kolding
• The secretariat of the Danish Electricity Saving Trust

Facts about Curve Breaker Agreements

• The objective of a Curve Breaker Agreement between the Trust and a public sector institution is to reduce electricity consumption in a collective effort
• A Curve Breaker Agreement commits the individual institution to achieve several fixed savings targets in relation to electricity consumption over a given timeframe
• Each individual institution is free to decide how it wishes to implement the savings, but the methods used should be available to all, and electricity consumption should be registered on the Trust’s ‘View Electricity Consumption’ Web site
• The Trust provides assistance to achieve the savings target by offering guidance and tools on electricity savings over the life of an agreement
• To find out more about the Curve Breaker Agreement concept, please contact the Trust’s Customer Advice service on: +45 7026 9009 or send an e-mail to: sparel@sparel.dk

For further information please contact:
Christian Jarby, Manager – Public Sector Affairs
The Danish Electricity Saving Trust
Tel.: +45 2014 7245
E-mail: cja@elsparefonden.dk