Council makes substantial savings in energy efficiency project

Watford Borough Council has advanced its commitments towards carbon neutrality by 2030 with significant energy efficiency improvements at the Town Hall and Colosseum.

These new measures – which include over 180 solar panels – were made possible through a £3.2 million grant from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, and it has meant the energy performance of both sites has been substantially improved through this transformative project.

As part of the solar installation, the council installed 144 photovoltaic (PV) panels on the roof of the Town Hall and 36 on the Colosseum to harness renewable energy, reducing the reliance on traditional power sources. It is expected to save 24 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) per year.

Thermally energy efficient improvements have also been carried out in both heritage buildings to minimise heat loss. This includes restoration of the windows, part of the original building fabric, which has meant the rate of heat transfer through the windows (U-value) is being decreased by 75%. This work also minimised material waste and produced a sustainable and historically faithful outcome for the Grade II listed buildings built in 1939.

Another measure to improve energy efficiency has included replacing all the lights with LED equivalents, as well as installing new roof and cavity wall insulation within Colosseum and Town Hall. Estimations show that this should make a 166 tonne annual saving in carbon.

Other notable sustainability milestones achieved include 99% of waste on site being redirected away from landfill, as well as an estimated combined reduction of 50% on the gas bill and 32% reduction on electricity across both buildings.

This notable decarbonisation project represents a crucial element of the council’s ambitious 10-year Town Hall Quarter programme, which via eight interconnected projects aims to stimulate substantial investment in the area over the next decade.

Elected Mayor of Watford Peter Taylor said: “I am pleased that we have successfully completed our energy efficiency works in the Colosseum and Town Hall, taking another step closer towards our goal of being carbon neutral by 2030. These iconic buildings have been transformed into beacons of sustainability. These buildings will benefit from the installation of solar panels, thermally efficient windows and enhanced insulation, as well as improved lighting and heating systems. This will not only result in substantial cost savings but also serve as a model for other councils striving to create greener and more energy-efficient communities.”