East Renfrewshire Council
Key information
Scheme:
The Scotland Recycling Fund
Technologies used:
LED lighting, Air source heat pump, Building Energy Management System (BEMS)
Region:
Scotland
Client type:
Local authority
Friday 03 March 2023
Working with Salix
East Renfrewshire Council set up its Recycling Fund in 2016 using 50:50 matched funding from Salix Finance. This Scotland Recycling Fund is ring-fenced to promote continued investment in energy efficiency projects which save greenhouse gas emissions and reduce energy bills. The upgrades were supported by the Scottish Government’s Non-Domestic Energy Efficiency (NDEE) framework.
The council invested £362,100 of matched funds from its Recycling Fund to replace inefficient electrical storage heaters with air source heat pumps, upgrade lighting to LEDs, and install a Building Energy Management System (BEMS) to manage heat distribution in eight of their schools. Combined these projects are saving 200 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions annually and have reduced the council’s annual energy bill by £48,198.
East Renfrewshire Council used the Scottish Government’s NDEE framework to support the project delivery. The NDEE framework guarantees savings on energy efficiency improvements and helped the council with its procurement process. The NDEE framework is part of a wider aim to increase energy efficiency across the council’s estate. By setting up a Salix Recycling Fund the council was able to double its budget as well as ensure funding is reinvested in future projects.
We were delighted to use Salix Finance. The Salix team are easy to deal with and support from the team has been excellent, before, during and after the project.
East Renfrewshire Council Schools
East Renfrewshire Council have improved the energy efficiency of the following schools:
- New air source heat pumps, LED lighting and improved BEMS at Busby and Thornliebank schools. Both schools are now saving around £9,000 annually on energy bills.
- Internal and external LEDs have been installed and BEMS optimised at St Johns, St Marks, St Cadocs, and Netherlee schools.
- Eaglesham School upgraded their BEMS and replaced floodlighting with LEDs Uplawmoor School has upgraded internal and external lighting.
Benefits and the future
Salix was able to support project management costs bringing the total loan value from £362,100 to £416,414.
Reduced greenhouse gas emissions and energy savings will continue after the loan repayments are complete. Reduced maintenance costs as a result of LED lighting installations.
An increase in the quality of the internal environment within classrooms by offering controlled heating and
balanced lighting.
