Christmas lights turned off earlier and teleworking recommended to save energy
The government will limit decorative lighting at Christmas to the period between 6pm and midnight, control indoor air conditioning temperatures and recommend for teleworking to save energy.
According to the energy saving plan 2022-2023, published today (Tuesday) in a cabinet resolution, the government will implement several saving measures over the coming months, which, in the case of the central administration, will be mandatory.
The interior lighting of buildings will be turned off from 10pm in the winter period and from 11pm in the summer period and outside from midnight, “safeguarding safety issues”.
In addition, it established that “the periods of Christmas lighting will be limited from 6pm to midnight from December 6, 2022 to January 6, 2023“.
Interior lighting will also have to be switched off whenever the space is not in use and after working hours, promoting greater use of natural light and other measures.
According to the plan, temperatures of air-conditioning equipment will be regulated “to a maximum of 18ºC in winter and a minimum of 25ºC in summer“, among other initiatives.
Regarding water, the executive intends the “reduction of running water time and adaptation of the water temperature of the heating system to the season of the year”, as well as the “reduction of the amount of water used in washing floors”, reducing the “number of vehicle washes” and other strategies.
In addition, irrigation will be programmed “for times of lower evaporation”, turning on after 8pm in the summer and 5pm in the winter.
The government also highlighted the “adoption of human resource management practices that allow for the reduction of energy consumption (for example, evaluating energy savings from teleworking), whenever feasible”, as well as “information actions in the scope of savings associated with energy consumption, as well as commuting”.
On the other hand, among the recommendations for local administration, many of which are similar to what will be compulsory in the central government, is the “regulation of the water temperature of indoor swimming pools to 26°C and a 2°C reduction in the temperature of ambient heating where indoor swimming pools are located (to 28°C)”.
There are also several similar measures for private individuals, but the state also recommends “reducing the running water time of baths and showers and adapting the water temperature of the heating system to the season” and “minimising the number of uses of the washing machine and dishwasher, using its maximum capacity”, among others.
“In total, the measures presented in the Energy Saving Plan 2022-2023 save 188mcm [million cubic metres] of natural gas, which represents 5% of consumption compared to the reference period,” the executive said in the diploma.
“The Energy Saving Plan 2022-2023 contemplates measures with an implementation period of less than three months, and which represent a 3% reduction compared to the reference period”, and “given the voluntary target of 15% reduction in consumption, it is possible to achieve 19% of the target with the immediate measures and 31% of the target with the total measures.”
However, “in case a Union alert is declared, the Energy Saving Plan 2022-2023 will become mandatory and may include exceptional measures,” the government warned.
Source: Lusa
