Electricity costs (1307A/22)

31 October 2022 | Finance and Procurement

Request

Response

Please find enclosed our response.

Our data are not organised in such a way as to allow us to provide this information within the appropriate (cost) limit within the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act (see ‘Reason for Decision’ below).

 

 

Although excess cost removes the force’s obligations under the Freedom of Information Act, as a gesture of goodwill I have supplied information, relative to your request, retrieved before it was realised that the fees limit would be exceeded. I trust this is helpful, but it does not affect our legal right to rely on the fee’s regulations for the remainder of the request.

 

1. What is the cost per unit (pence per KWh) that WMP pays/is charged for electricity imported from the national grid at its estates across the force?

Exemption S12 – Cost

There are numerous buildings / sub buildings and the cost per unit (pence per KWh) that West Midlands Police pays differs at these locations, there is no blanket cost.  Therefore, to locate this information would mean that each individual bill would need to be evaluated.

2. Is this a blanket cost for all sites across the entire force or does this vary depending on the site/location?

Under section 21 of the Act, we are not required to provide information in response to a request if it is already reasonably accessible to you. The information you requested is available on the following website.

 

Gas and Electricity Usage (228A/22) – Freedom of Information – West Midlands Police (west-midlands.police.uk)

3. How many WMP sites are fitted with Solar Photovoltaic Panels, and specifically which sites are?

Bloxwich

Block A, Park Lane

Block B, Park Lane

Western Custody

Central Custody

 

4. Of those sites with solar PV fitted, how much electricity on average used on site is produced by the solar PV, and how much electricity is imported from the grid? (in KWhs)

 

The first three sites Bloxwich, Block A park Lane, and Block B Park Lane – no information held.

In 2021 Central Custody produced 155,177 kWh from PV and Western Custody produced 115,595 kWh.

In 2021 Central Custody imported 968,652 kWh and Western Custody 701,843 kWh.

 

5. Does WMP have any plans to retrofit solar PV to existing sites across the force?

Yes

PV installations will be installed as money allows, where sites are expected to be retained, and where the installation will give an acceptable return on investment.

6. How many WMP sites use electricity to heat buildings, and of those what technology is used i.e. air source heat pump, ground source heat pump, infrared heating panels?

 

All West Midlands Police sites use electricity to heat buildings, as all electrical devices will produce heat when operating. Most buildings have some form of installed electric heating; though this is often a small part of the overall heating load.  For example, plant rooms and drying rooms will often have electric heating, even if the main building heating is not electric.

7. 7. How many WMP sites use gas burning boilers to heat buildings?

Three

8. Is there a formal policy in place for the charging of privately-owned electric vehicles on WMP sites?

No

9. What facilities are available for Police Officers/Staff to charge privately owned electric vehicles whilst working on WMP sites?

 

There are currently no facilities that allow Police Officers/Staff to charge privately owned electric vehicles.

 

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