Energy use
Nationwide’s total energy consumption rose in 2006/07 in comparison to the previous year. Our total energy consumption was 109.0 million kWh, an increase of 2.2 million kWh. There are a number of factors contributing to our ongoing increase in demand:
- increasing business activity, as reflected in our Annual Report and Accounts
- increasing use of information technology across the business and online services
- rising standards of services in our branch refurbishments (especially more air conditioning due to increased sales areas)
- a higher occupancy rate in our buildings and resultant increasing demand on air-conditioning systems
In terms of our energy use related to business activity, we are actually using 1.9% less energy than last year. Although total energy use is increasing, our energy use per thousand customer accounts is decreasing over the same period. That means we are becoming more energy efficient in operating our business.
We continued to purchase 100% of our electricity from renewable energy sources (currently excluding Northern Ireland operations), and this had a positive effect on our carbon footprint.
Electricity and gas consumption (million kilowatt-hours)
See data table with more detail.
Excludes subsidiary: Nationwide International.
Electricity and gas consumption (kilowatt-hours, per thousand accounts)
See data table with more detail.
Excludes subsidiary: Nationwide International.
back to topEnergy efficiencies
Energy efficiency measures are considered on an ongoing basis – firstly, by making improvements to equipment and buildings and secondly, by raising awareness of energy use and climate change with employees, members and suppliers. An example of this is our dedicated Home Energy Advice website.
The ongoing programme to increase the energy efficiency of our buildings and equipment means that we are now using nearly 10 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) less per year than we would have been. The cumulative effect of these measures is a total saving over the period since 2001/02 of over 30 million kWh. This is enough energy to power over 1,350 average homes for a year (Source: BRE Domestic Energy Fact File 2001).
We completed a pilot project with The Carbon Trust and Enviros in our Abingdon branch to assess the cost-effectiveness and impact of low-carbon technologies, including building management systems. We are awaiting the final Carbon Trust report on the resultant carbon reductions and aim to incorporate carbon reduction measures into the standard branch refurbishment specification where cost-effective .
We take energy use and environmental impacts into consideration when purchasing new IT equipment such as computer screens and laptops. We are continuing to consolidate photocopiers, printers and faxes, which will reduce energy use.
Annual energy savings from building and IT equipment improvements (million kilowatt-hours)
See data table for more detail.
Excludes subsidiary: Nationwide International. The percentage figures shown are the savings as a percentage of the total energy consumption for that year.
Cumulative energy savings from building and IT equipment improvements (million kilowatt-hours)
See data table for more detail.
Excludes subsidiary: Nationwide International.