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 Michael John Foster (Labour) on Tuesday, 6 April 2010 on behalf of the Department for International Development.

Departmental Energy

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what (a) voltage optimisers and (b) equivalent technologies are used within buildings occupied by his Department.

Answer: In the last two years the Department for International Development has installed voltage optimisers in both of our UK offices. There are two 1,250 kVa units in our London office (installed March 2008), and a 560 kVa unit in our East Kilbride office (installed March 2009).Analysis of electricity consumption in the London office indicated an annual 14.2 per cent. reduction in total electricity consumption, which was largely attributable to this equipment. Early analysis shows that there has been a reduction in electricity use in our East Kilbride office, of between 5.2 per cent. and 6.4 per cent.

Secondary information