Our energy use
We use energy for transportation, to power equipment and to provide working environments for our employees, passengers and third parties. Much of this energy comes from burning fossil fuels, which emit carbon dioxide.
Energy efficiency and renewables
Our aim is to maximise the efficient use of energy as well as using energy production with a lower carbon output, like solar, wind, water, and waste to reduce our carbon footprint.
Reducing carbon at our offices, managed stations and maintenance depots
In 2009/10, in partnership with the Carbon Trust, we surveyed our 18 managed stations, six of our infrastructure maintenance depots, and Westwood, our leadership development centre in Coventry. We have defined activities that will reduce the carbon output at these locations and are establishing business cases to justify the decisions on investment. These measures will contribute to our target of a 20 per cent reduction in non-traction energy related CO2 emissions compared to 2006/07 data by 2014.
At stations, around 70 per cent of energy is used by third parties of which around 90 per cent is sub-metered. This means we can provide accurate consumption data to most of our tenants which helps them focus on reducing usage. We continue to work with train operators and commercial enterprises at stations to encourage energy efficient practices.
Improved measurement and monitoring
In 2010/11, we will begin installing smart electricity meters to provide improved information to monitor and manage consumption. We intend to install approximately 5,500 smart electricity meters across our business by 2012.
We are also reviewing our electricity supply points to determine what each is used for. We want to improve monitoring and measurement and further reduce consumption. This review will also help identify potential alternative energy sources and, other energy efficient, low carbon technologies for us to consider.