Features

Hundreds of public buildings in the capital could get an energy efficiency overhaul thanks to a newly established £100 million fund, the Mayor of London Boris Johnson announced this week.

The new London Energy Efficiency Fund (LEEF) will finance the installation of a range of energy-saving technologies, including efficient lighting systems, upgraded ventilation systems and boilers, smart meters and solar panels. A team of technical advisors will be employed to help public buildings access the retrofitting programmes and low cost loans.

Public buildings – such as schools, libraries and hospitals – are currently responsible for 10% of the city’s carbon emissions. But buildings benefitting from a retrofit under the scheme could see their energy efficiency improved by up to 40%.

Half of the LEEF fund will come from the London Green Fund, while the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) will contribute the other £50 million. The scheme will be overseen by Amber Infrastructure Limited, a leading manager of social and economic infrastructure projects.

According to Johnson: “Retrofitting London is a priority as not only will it cut carbon and energy costs, but also inject billions of pounds into the city’s economy, and create tens of thousands of jobs.”
It is hoped that the LEEF scheme will bring the capital closer to its aim of a 40% reduction in carbon emissions by 2020.

For further information:
www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/Introduction_to_the_London_Green_Fund_brochure_11167.pdf
www.rbs.co.uk
www.amberinfrastructure.com

Related stories:
London Mayor gives go ahead for £116.5 million energy efficiency programmes (7-Apr)
£2.7 million energy makeover for London’s public buildings (25-Mar)
London Mayor opens £70 million low-carbon waste and recycling fund (22-Mar)
London Mayor kickstarts home efficiency makeover scheme (11-Nov 2009)