Dorset's libraries going greener
Solar panels and LED lighting are among the changes
Dorset's libraries have been adapted to make them greener, cut carbon emissions and save money on energy costs.
The Council's made changes over the past six months at 15 sites across the county.
They include:
- Solar panels and battery storage at Littlemoor
- New building management systems at Bridport, Swanage, Wareham and Weymouth
- LED lighting at Portland Library and the Dorset History Centre
- Improved insulation at Wyke Regis
- Solar panels and building management system at Gillingham
It's expected the measures will save the local authority over £40,000 a year in electricity and gas costs, and reduce annual energy use by more than 275,000 kilo-watt hours.
That's the equivalent of a quarter of all the energy used across the 15 sites in a year.
The work's been fully funded by the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, a scheme set-up by the Government to reduce the emissions of publicly owned buildings across the UK.
Cllr Ray Bryan, Dorset Council’s Portfolio Holder for Highways, Travel and Environment, said:
“I am delighted to see the steps taken to reduce the carbon footprint of our library service. Not only will these measures take us closer to our net-zero goal, but they will also help protect our libraries from the rapidly rising electricity and gas prices.
“Reducing running costs will help us continue to deliver the wide range of services through our libraries that are so important to so many across Dorset. And at the same time accelerate our shift away from fossil fuels towards a cleaner future.
“A huge well-done to the Assets and Property team of Dorset Council who have been pivotal in making this project happen, and to the programme board who have met regularly to secure its success.”