London to tackle energy efficiency in public buildings

The Greater London Authority is planning to upgrade energy efficiency in up to 100 of its buildings - and is inviting contractors to bid for the job.


The English capital is one of 16 cities to have pledged to carry out energy efficiency work in its public sector buildings at the New York Large Cities Climate Summit in May and is set to become the first to carry through on its word.

London’s Mayor, Ken Livingstone, said the buildings in the first round of upgrades would include landmark offices such as Transport for London’s HQ at Windsor House.

The Mayor’s Office is hoping that by putting in place a framework for cutting consumption of energy in buildings, the rest of the public sector can follow suit – and use the lessons learned.

By demonstrating the tangible benefits of carrying out this work, the GLA also hopes to persuade the private sector that energy efficiency measures not only bring environmental benefits but make financial sense too.

The companies bidding for the contract will need to provide a range of services, including surveying and auditing the buildings to assess which are the most appropriate energy efficiency measures for the building, such as energy efficient lighting, insulation and combined cooling heat and power.

Alongside the energy audit, the companies will need to plan, project manage and implement the energy efficiency measures that the building requires, and they will guarantee to meet an energy savings target over an agreed period.

Over the coming months, the Greater London Authority Group will also be developing a framework agreement which will enable the rest of the public sector in London to benefit from this scheme and we will also work to engage the private sector.

Ken Livingstone said: “London is leading the way by becoming the first of the sixteen cities signed up to the C40/Clinton Climate Initiative programme to begin work to cut climate change emissions by making our buildings more energy efficient.

“We have started the tender process for companies to bid for the first part of the work and I hope that this will also lead to a boost in London’s green industries.”

Sam Bond

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