MOD sets carbon challenge for contractors

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has challenged contractors to come up with green solutions for the department’s mammoth estate.

The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) announced it will require each of its four main regional contractors to set up an energy management centre to monitor consumption of every building across all MOD sites.

DIO added all bidders for its 2013 facilities management contracts will have to propose new measures to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions.

Incoming prime contractors will be asked to survey all sites and buildings in their region and identify shortcomings in the current metering arrangements. They will then conduct annual surveys to identify any changes that might impact on energy  usage

David Olney, DIO deputy chief executive, said: “Providing energy-efficient facilities is key in maintaining our armed forces’ operational  capability. Our future estate contracts provide the perfect opportunity to put energy  efficiency at the heart of our estate management and  decision-making.

“The  MOD has done well against its  energy targets, exceeding its original targets by 50%, but the  Prime Minister has set out a strong pledge that this will be the greenest Government ever, so this is not the time to rest on our laurels.”

Matt Foley, head of the MOD central programme office for energy, said: “The Defence estate is highly complex and rationalising its energy consumption and carbon emissions will require innovative, insightful and robust energy management plans. Our  future facilities management providers will have a key role to play in helping the MOD to reduce consumption and its current daily energy bill of around £1m.”