Millions saved in energy costs

24/11/05
Government agencies have saved more than $7.7million in energy costs since the introduction of the Energy Smart Government Program in 2002.
Tabling the program's annual results in Parliament today, Energy Minister Alan Carpenter said agencies' efforts had also resulted in the avoidance of nearly 40,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions over the last three years.
The Energy Smart Government Policy was implemented in 2002 and requires State Government agencies to reduce their energy consumption and associated greenhouse gas emissions.
"This is the third year of the Energy Smart Government Program and we continue to see great results due to the continued efforts of many agencies," Mr Carpenter said.
"In 2004-05, agencies reduced their overall energy costs by $4.3million.
"This is a 70 per cent increase on the $2.5million in savings made in 2003-04.
"Agencies also made energy savings of 121,415 gigajoules, which avoided the emission of 22,170 tonnes of greenhouse gas, compared with 19,500 tonnes in 2003-04.
"This is the equivalent of taking 5,000 cars off the roads."
Mr Carpenter said the energy reduction target for the 2004-05 was eight per cent and the combined data for 60 of the 61 participating agencies was a very encouraging 7.8 per cent.
"This compares with the 6.4 per cent improvement made in 2003-04 by those same agencies," he said.
The program's overall target of 12 per cent energy reduction by 2006-07 was achieved two years ahead of schedule by 29 of the 61 reporting agencies, an increase from the 21 agencies which reached this target last year.
"These are outstanding results for the 2004-05 financial year and I congratulate the Government agencies which have embraced the Energy Smart Government Program," the Minister said.
He said the Sustainable Energy Development Office would continue to work with agencies to improve their performance and further increase energy savings.
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