Circular on improving energy efficiency in Danish state institutions

Unofficial translation of the original Danish circular:

“Cirkulære om energieffektivisering i statens institutioner” 

Pursuant to Section 13 (2, 3), Section 14 (3) and Section 19 (1) in Act no. 450 of 31 May 2000 on the Promotion of Savings in Energy Consumption, and Section 9 and 14 in Act no. 485 of 12 June 1996 to Promote Energy and Water Savings in Buildings, as amended under Section 24 in Act no. 450 of 31 May 2000, the following is laid down:

Purpose

Section 1 The purpose of the circular is to limit the state’s consumption of energy and water by promoting energy-efficient behaviour and procurement in state institutions, as well as ensuring the energy-efficient operation and maintenance of buildings that are owned or rented by the state.

Area of application

Section 2 The circular applies to all ministries, authorities and other state institutions. (2) On request from an individual ministerial area of responsibility, the Danish Energy Authority may exempt state institutions from the provisions of this circular. (3) State institutions that administer the legislation through which operational subsidies are granted to privately-owned institutions shall attempt wherever possible to put in place the provisions of the circular and have them implemented in these institutions.

Section 3 The circular covers all forms of consumption of electricity, heating and water associated with a state institution, including both energy and water consumption in connection with the operation and maintenance of buildings, and energy and water consumption associated with other activities associated with the institution. (2) The circular does not apply to energy consumption for transport purposes.

Energy-efficient behaviour and procurement

Section 4 State institutions shall demonstrate energy-efficient behaviour with a view to reduce the institutions’ total energy consumption.

Section 5 State institutions shall purchase energy-efficient products unless they can demonstrate that such products do not meet the essential requirements in regard to function, quality, environment and cost effectiveness. (2) The following product categories are considered to be energy efficient: 1) Products that fulfil the requirements of the procurement guidelines laid down by the Danish Electricity Saving Trust. 2) Energy label class A products that conform to the European Union energy labelling directive for household appliances and their combinations. However, A+ or A++ applies to refrigeration cabinets (fridges/freezers).

3) Products adopted by the electricity, natural gas and district heating supply companies, or other approved lists of energy-efficient products, as referred to on the website of the Danish Electricity Saving Trust. 4) Products included in other schemes covering the visibility of energy-efficient products, as referred to on the website of the Danish Electricity Saving Trust.

Section 6 All ministries must nominate a coordinating contact person responsible for energy. This contact person will be responsible for the implementation of the provisions in the circular, namely:

1) To ensure that an overall target is formulated covering the trend in energy consumption within the ministerial area of responsibility in the short and long term. 2) To ensure the coordinated purchasing of energy-efficient products so that the possibilities of obtaining cost-effective prices for these products can be utilised within the ministerial area of responsibility. 3) To ensure that coordinated purchasing of energy-efficient products is incorporated in the common procurement policy which, in regard to the Circular on procurement in the state sector, will form part of the strategy for improving efficiency within the ministerial area of responsibility. 4) To ensure that awareness of energy-efficient behaviour is disseminated throughout the ministerial area of responsibility. (2) All ministries shall advise the Danish Energy Authority of the name of the coordinating contact person responsible for energy in the ministerial area of responsibility, as well as publishing the name on the Ministry’s website.

Section 7 All state institutions shall have a person responsible for energy who will work together with the coordinating contact person responsible for energy in the ministerial area of responsibility. This contact person will be responsible for the implementation of the provisions in the circular, including the requirement to monitor the trends in the institution’s heating, electricity and water consumption: for example on www.se-elforbrug.sparel.dk, or through frequent readings of heating, electricity and water meters.

Reporting and visibility of energy consumption

Section 8 To allow the Danish Energy Authority to monitor the trend in energy consumption in the state sector, all state institutions shall report their total energy and water consumption on an annual financial basis, calculated per building on the basis of the actual amount of consumption over the elapsed financial year split between electricity, heating and water. (2) The information reported, as mentioned in (1) above, shall be submitted to the Danish Palaces and Properties Agency’s Information System of the Public Estates (see Circular on information system for management of state properties). (3) The annual report shall be submitted no later than 1 June following the year in question. The Danish Energy Authority will circulate more detailed guidelines and instructions for completing the report. (4) The Danish Energy Authority may, following negotiations with ministries that have their own approved building services, allow reporting under individual guidelines for the institutions so covered.