Interpretation

2.  In these Regulations—

“central government” means—

(a)

the competent authorities;

(b)

non-ministerial departments of the competent authorities;

(c)

a body or office which is controlled and mainly financed by one of the competent authorities;

“competent authorities” means, in relation to—

(a)

England, the Secretary of State;

(b)

Wales, the Welsh Ministers;

(c)

Scotland, the Scottish Ministers;

(d)

Northern Ireland, the Northern Ireland departments;

“eligible buildings” means buildings owned and occupied by central government that are heated or cooled (or both) which—

(a)

for the period commencing on 15th January 2014 and ending on 8th July 2015, have a floor area of 500 square metres or more;

(b)

for the period commencing on 9th July 2015 and ending on 31st December 2020, have a floor area of 250 square metres or more;

“energy audit” means a systematic procedure which—

(a)

enables sufficient information to be obtained to allow the energy consumption profile of a building or group of buildings, an industrial or commercial operation, or a private or public service to be accurately understood and described;

(b)

identifies and quantifies cost effective energy saving opportunities in relation to such energy consumption profiles; and

(c)

results in the production of a written report of its findings;

“energy efficiency improvements” means technological, behavioural or economic measures which result in the more efficient use of energy;

“energy efficiency plan” means a written plan which sets out specific objectives and actions for achieving a more efficient use of energy that may include—

(a)

carrying out an energy audit;

(b)

implementing an energy management system;

(c)

implementing energy efficiency improvements;

(d)

using energy service providers and energy performance contracting;

“energy management system” means a documented procedure such as BS EN ISO 50001:2011(1) which provides for the systematic use of management and technology that results in the more efficient use of energy;

“energy performance contracting” means energy efficiency improvements provided under a contract and paid for by reference to a specific measure of improvement in the efficiency of the use of energy, such as financial savings, that measure to be monitored and verified during the term of the contract;

“energy service provider” means a person who provides energy efficiency improvements under a contract;

“public bodies” means, in relation to—

(a)

England, Wales and Northern Ireland, ‘contracting authorities’ as defined in regulation 3 of the Public Contracts Regulations 2006(2);

(b)

Scotland, ‘contracting authorities’ as defined in regulation 3 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2012(3);

“reporting period” means the period commencing on 15th January 2014 and ending on 31st December 2020.

(1)

ISBN 978 0 580 76206 2. Copies can be obtained from the British Standards Institution at www.bsigroup.com.

(3)

S.S.I. 2012/88, relevant amending instruments are S.S.I. 2012/108, S.I. 2013/252.