Heat is on at Holyrood as Scottish Parliament building fails energy test

Published on Tuesday 9 February 2010 09:07

THE Scottish Parliament building is failing to live up to its green credentials, with energy consumption running at more than double the forecast level.

The 414 million parliament was given a B in new washing machine-style energy ratings for public buildings, but that was based on theoretical calculations before it was in operation.

One expert today said he believed the true rating, taking into account actual energy consumption, should probably be an F or a G, the lowest possible grade.

The parliament's energy performance certificate, which it is legally required to display, shows energy consumption of 126 kilowatt hours per square metre of floor space.

But the most recent environmental report reveals the real energy consumption was nearer to 300kWh per square metre.

Independent Lothians MSP Margo MacDonald, who spotted the discrepancy, said: "The information we have uncovered appears to suggest the energy certificate was, as we suspected, very flattering."

Professor David Strong, chief executive of sustainable building consultancy Inbuilt, said the parliament's certificate was "totally misleading".

He said: "What the Scottish Parliament is displaying is what it should, theoretically, be capable of delivering."

In England and Wales, buildings must also display the actual energy consumption.

Prof Strong said Portcullis House, the 247m office block for MPs next to the House of Commons, was given a theoretical A rating but became a G in practice.

He said it was impossible to know for sure what the real rating for Holyrood would be, but added: "It would certainly be significantly worse and my suspicion is it would likely be F or G."

Last year, scientists calculated Holyrood was leaking five times the amount of energy lost from the Welsh Assembly but nowhere near what was being lost at Westminster.

When MSPs first moved into Holyrood in 2004, one of the top ten grumbles was the cold. By the following summer, MSPs were complaining rooms were so hot they could hardly stay awake.

Excessive heat was even said to be damaging the fabric of the building. In the MSP block, 12 specially crafted oak doors, costing around 1,000 each, became warped and had to be replaced.

In other parts of the building, the temperature was still judged too low and extra under-floor radiators were fitted in one of the committee rooms.

A Scottish Parliament spokeswoman said she could not comment until a series of parliamentary questions from Ms MacDonald had been answered.