£1.4m spent on Gloucestershire police decarbonisation

The Gloucestershire Constabulary’s estate has been transformed by Cotswold Energy Group(CEG), with funding awarded through the Salix Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme. 

A key focal point for the project was removing and replacing outdated fossil fuel boilers with bespoke renewable systems. Air source heat pumps have now been fitted, maximising energy efficiency. 

A large solar array was also seamlessly integrated into the force’s Tri-Services Centre, while a one-pipe system has now been fitted to offer better heating control for the buildings. Waste from the work was kept to a minimum, with the vast majority of existing infrastructure repurposed or reused by CEG. 

The solar power system alone is expected to bring in around £23,500 in savings per year. Across all three sites that have undergone works, annual carbon savings are expected to reach 230 tonnes, with work having taken eight months, during which time all facilities remained fully functional. 

‘Asbestos identification and removal were key challenges, requiring meticulous planning and execution to minimise disruption to building occupants and their critical operations,’ said Jon Bonnar, Managing Director at CEG. ‘Throughout the projects’ eight-month undertaking, all three sites remained fully functional, a testament to comprehensive planning and robust stakeholder collaboration.”

‘It was a pleasure to work with CEG. The bespoke design of the systems for each building very effectively met our needs, in particular in Stroud where an inefficient, outdated internal heating system has been replaced by one that provides comfortable and controllable conditions for the officers and staff,’ said Mandy Gibbs, Environmental Manager at Gloucestershire Constabulary.

More on retrofitting and decarbonisation: 

Retrofitting required: G20 net zero targets will fail on building emissions

Local Climate Bonds Toolkit guides councils to £3billion green funding

Low carbon heating, cooling, ventilation training centre reopens in Birmingham

Image: Max Fleischmann