Requirements and agreements

There are many different requirements and agreements that make it necessary to save energy in public buildings.

Requirements and agreements

  • Government
    The 2009 ‘Circular on improving energy efficiency in Danish government institutions’ lays down that the government's energy consumption should reduce by at least 10% before 2011. To a large extent, it is up to the individual ministries to decide how they will do this.

    The Circular also lays down that government institutions, which own or rent buildings and technical plant, must ensure that operations, maintenance and refurbishment are carried out in an energy efficient way.

    New technical equipment and installations should also be energy efficient. Equipment should be fitted with meters capable of registering significant part or secondary consumption of electricity, heat and water.
  • Municipalities
    Local Government Denmark (KL) has signed a voluntary agreement with the former Ministry of Transport and Energy on saving energy in the municipalities. This means that the municipalities must implement energy savings based on a maximum repayment term of 5 years.


Energy labelling of public sector buildings
Public sector buildings must be energy labelled every 5 years. The energy label report will list a number of possible energy savings.
> Read more about energy labelling of public sector buildings.

Government institutions which have been allocated an energy label must also publicise the details on their respective home pages.

  • Statutory inspection of boilers and ventilation equipment
    In order to save energy, there is a legal requirement for gas and oil-fired boilers, heating installations, and ventilation and air conditioning systems to be regularly inspected.
  • Making electricity consumption of more than 100,000 kWh/year visible
    All public sector institutions with electricity consumption of more than 100,000 kWh per year must make their electricity consumption visible by registering on View Electricity Consumption.

Especially for those responsible for buildings in government institutions
If you are responsible for buildings and operations in a government institution, your building might be owned by the Danish Palaces and Properties Agency, the Danish University and Property Agency, or the Danish Defence Construction and Establishment Service. These owners are legally obliged to reduce the energy consumption of their buildings by 10% in the period 2006-2011.

Read more about the Palaces and Properties Agency, the Danish University and Property Agency, and the Danish Defence Construction and Establishment Service (only in Danish).

Page last updated 29.03.2010