As part of South Ayrshire Council’s commitment to reduce their energy bills, and reduce carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere, it has fitted automatic pool covers to conserve heat overnight in Council swimming pools.

The Scottish Government has given the Council a grant of £325,252 from their Energy Fund, to be used by the Council to create a fund for investment in energy efficiency measures to be maintained by repayments from energy efficiency savings.

The Council’s energy bill for 2004/05 was over two million pounds, with energy cost increases estimated to result in an additional cost of almost half a million pounds during this financial year.

In addition to the financial expenditure the energy used by the Council has resulted in 24,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide being emitted into the atmosphere. The Government has made it clear that it aims to reduce national carbon emissions by 60% before 2050, and local authorities are therefore looking at ways to reduce their emissions.

Council owned swimming pools within South Ayrshire are the second biggest users of energy, consuming 13% of the energy supplied, with schools being the largest users of energy.

The first project the Council has invested funding from the Energy Fund is the installation of remote controlled motorised pool covers, which retain pool heat overnight, which saves energy and money. The pool covers are now operational at the Citadel, and leisure facilities in Troon, Prestwick, Maybole and Girvan.

Convener of the Council’s Community Safety Committee, Councillor Douglas Campbell> said: “As the Council’s energy costs are forecast to increase significantly over the next financial year there is a need to reduce consumption, and investing in measures such as automatic pool covers is one way of doing this.

“Staff within the leisure facilities are now able at the flick of a switch to cover the surface of the swimming pool, and help reduce carbon emissions, which will in turn play a part in protecting the environment.”

The total cost of installation was £39,755 with projected financial savings in excess of £10,702 per annum. The funding received from the Scottish Government will be paid back in interest free instalments over the next 3.7 years.

Councillor Douglas Campbell paid a visit to the Citadel in Ayr to see the new pool covers in action.

October 2005