AUTUMN 2025 DIGITAL - Flipbook - Page 39
LOCAL AUTHORITY & COUNCIL
East Riding of Yorkshire
Council: Pioneering
sustainability and energy
efficiency
How East Riding Council is
using data to drive energy
decisions across its estate.
As the public sector accelerates
its decarbonisation efforts, East
Riding of Yorkshire Council is
proving that sustainability can
unlock innovation, ef昀椀ciency, and
lasting impact.
With an urgency to decarbonise
the public sector estate, one
council is demonstrating that
sustainability can be a driving
force for transformative change.
In a recent interview, TEAM
Energy spoke with Robin Barmby
and Stephen Fisher, Principal
Asset Of昀椀cers at East Riding of
Yorkshire Council, to explore their
pioneering energy initiatives and
strides in operational ef昀椀ciency.
Their approach demonstrates
how data-led decision-making
and creative solutions can deliver
meaningful environmental
impact alongside substantial cost
savings.
Implementing energy
ef昀椀ciency measures
East Riding of Yorkshire Council
has made signi昀椀cant advances in
solar energy, investing more than
£2 million in rooftop installations
since 2012, supported by the
Feed-in Tariff initiative. Several
schools have bene昀椀ted from
similar projects, and one of the
most rewarding efforts involved
revisiting sites initially deemed
unsuitable and 昀椀nding creative
ways to install panels.
“We’ve had the most success
with our solar panel rollouts,” said
Robin Barmby, Principal Asset
Of昀椀cer. “Revisiting sites that
were initially omitted and 昀椀nding
innovative ways to install panels
has been particularly rewarding.”
The council also launched a
small-scale solar farm connected
to a caravan park—one of its
highest energy consumers—
where solar generation aligns
well with peak usage. In addition,
Stephen Fisher, also a Principal
Asset Of昀椀cer, highlighted the
integration of photovoltaic (PV)
systems into the council’s annual
roo昀椀ng programme for councilowned housing. Combined with
insulation upgrades, this has
proven to be the most costeffective method for improving
Energy Performance Certi昀椀cate
(EPC) ratings in residential
properties.
Elevating energy ef昀椀ciency
projects through training and
technology
Stephen Fisher emphasised
the importance of strategic
training with facilities managers,
particularly on optimising Building
Management Systems (BMS)
to reduce energy usage. The
council’s Climate Change team
also plays a crucial role in raising
awareness and promoting good
environmental behaviours across
the organisation.
Robin Barmby discussed
the vital role of technology in
identifying and delivering energy
savings. By using benchmarking
and submetering, the council
has been able to pinpoint the
exact zones or equipment
within buildings driving poor
performance. This data-led
approach has made the entire
process far more ef昀椀cient and
impactful than traditional energy
audits alone.
Innovative solutions with
signi昀椀cant impact
One of the most effective
technologies implemented by
the council is the Variable Speed
Drive (VSD), which allows precise
control of motor speed based on
actual demand. This technology
has been particularly impactful in
leisure centres, where it has led to
signi昀椀cant energy savings with a
quick payback period.
Achieving cost savings and
carbon reduction
The council’s solar projects
have had the most signi昀椀cant
impact on cost savings and
carbon reduction. Additionally,
LED street lighting upgrades
with percentage dimming have
contributed to long-term savings
across the estate.
Securing funding for energy
ef昀椀ciency initiatives
East Riding of Yorkshire Council
has been proactive in securing
funding for its energy ef昀椀ciency
projects. Over the past 12
months, the council has secured
approximately £6.5 million in
funding, enabling nearly £17
million worth of project work. This
includes funding from the Public
Sector Decarbonisation Scheme
(PSDS), the Mayoral Fund, the
Swimming Pool Support Fund via
Sport England, and Warm Homes
funding.
Advice for other councils
Robin Barmby advises other
councils
to start with reducing
Kim McGuinness
demand, then focus on ef昀椀ciency,
and 昀椀nally look at renewables.
Stephen Fisher adds that data
analysis and benchmarking
should be the 昀椀rst step to
understanding performance
across the estate and prioritise
interventions.
Andrea Shoel, Business
Development Manager at TEAM
Energy, said:
“East Riding of Yorkshire
Council’s approach to energy
ef昀椀ciency is a testament to the
power of data-driven decisions
and innovative solutions. Their
success story is an inspiration for
other councils aiming to achieve
similar goals.”
Looking ahead
East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s
energy journey is a powerful
example of what’s possible when
data, innovation, and strategic
thinking come together. By
focusing on demand reduction,
ef昀椀ciency, and smart deployment
of renewables, the council has
delivered measurable carbon
and cost savings. Their success
underscores the importance
of long-term vision, internal
capability, and dedication to
revisiting and rethinking legacy
projects.
Read East Riding or Yorkshire
Council’s full interview: https://
www.teamenergy.com/discover/
blog/customer-spotlight-eastriding-council/
GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC SECTOR JOURNAL AUTUMN 2025
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