During the first quarter of 2023, electricity consumption decreased by 4.5% and gas by 23.3% , compared to the same period in 2022. On the other hand, water consumption has increased by 8.2% . Compared to the previous months, the evolution improves in all supplies, even in the case of water where the increase is lower than in January or February.
The measures foreseen in the plan to promote energy saving at the UB are having a significant impact on the consumption of electricity and gas. The mild temperatures in March have also actively contributed to lower energy consumption, but especially of gas, given that it was possible to bring forward the shutdown of the heating.
Regarding water consumption, the increase compared to the previous month has been cut in half, going from 16.3% to 8.2%. This reduction reflects the entry into force of the water-saving measures foreseen in the phase of exceptionality due to drought, such as the prohibition of watering gardens and green areas.
Until the month of March, these are the accumulated consumptions:
- Electricity, 8,471,016 kWh (4.49% less than in 2022).
- Gas, 549,157 m 3 (23.34% less than in 2022).
- Water, 33,087 m 3 (8.20% more than in 2022).
Taking into account only the differences in consumption in the months of January, February and March between the years 2022 and 2023, we have saved almost €350,000 by adding up the three types of supplies (electricity, gas and water). However, the increase in energy prices has caused the total expenditure to double compared to 2022, with an increase of almost 1.4 million euros in these first three months of the year.
In the case of electricity, consumption decreases in almost all centers, highlighting the reduction in the Faculty of Law (-15.6%), in the faculties of Philosophy and Geography and History (-14.3%) , at the Baldiri Reixac Library (-10.6%) and at the Historical Building and the Josep Carner Classroom (-10.6%). Electricity consumption increased in this first quarter by the Faculty of Earth Sciences (+5.0%), the Faculty of Economics and Business (+4.1%), the Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences (+ 2.9 %) and the faculties of Physics and Chemistry (+0.6 %).
Gas consumption decreases in a general way in almost all centers, highlighting the reduction in the faculties of Physics and Chemistry (-40.7%), in the Faculty of Law (-37.4%), in the Faculty of ‘Information and Audiovisual Media (-29.5%), in the Faculty of Economics and Business (-26.1%), in the Mundet Campus (-25.0%), or in the Faculty of Pharmacy and Sciences of the Food (-24.1%). Only Sports UB (+23.6%), the Faculty of Clinical Medicine (+10.8%), and the Faculty of Fine Arts (+7.2%) increased consumption.
Water consumption shows fairly widespread increases in most centers. The most notable increases occur in UB Sports (+36.2%), the Mundet Campus (+32.3%), the Faculty of Fine Arts (+30.4%), the Jeroni Granell building (+ 26.9%), and in the Historical Building and the Josep Carner classroom (+22.5%). Consumption has been reduced at the Bellvitge Campus (-11.8%), at the Faculty of Law (-7.3%), at the Faculty of Biology (-4.6%), and at the Baldiri Reixac Library (- 1.7%).
In order to maintain the reduction in consumption next quarter, everyone’s collaboration is necessary, applying the good practices shown in the energy saving campaign “We are responsible” .