Written question asked by Lord Barker of Battle (Conservative) on Wednesday, 24 March 2010, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 29 March 2010. It was answered by Ian Pearson (Labour) on Tuesday, 6 April 2010 on behalf of the Treasury.

Departmental Energy

Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate the Office of Government Commerce has made of the extent of the use of (a) voltage optimisers and (b) equivalent technologies within buildings occupied by (i) central Government Departments and (ii) the Government estate since the publication of the Delivery Plan for Sustainable Procurement and Operations on the Government Estate.

Answer: [holding answer 29 March 2010]: The Office of Government Commerce recommends reducing the voltage of supplied electricity, including voltage optimisation to central Government Departments as one means to achieving the target of reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 12.5 per cent. by 2010-11.Government hold data on voltage reduction, however, the element of voltage optimisation is not disaggregated within this.Two Departments are already making use of a framework agreement for voltage reduction and/or optimisation technology and we estimate that a further seven Departments and wider Members of the Government estate are planning usage of improving voltage supply technologies in their buildings across the Government estate.

Secondary information