{"id":8920,"date":"2024-11-26T13:17:54","date_gmt":"2024-11-26T17:17:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/planning.gov.bm\/?page_id=8920"},"modified":"2025-06-09T11:04:03","modified_gmt":"2025-06-09T14:04:03","slug":"energy-statement-guidance-note","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/planning.gov.bm\/index.php\/energy-statement-guidance-note\/","title":{"rendered":"Energy Statement Guidance Note"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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A GUIDE TO ENERGY STATEMENTS<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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1. Introduction<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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Energy consumption is one of the largest contributors to climate change, largely due to the historical reliance on fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas. We consume energy in almost every aspect of our daily lives, and therefore if energy is not renewably sourced, we contribute towards global warming and the associated impacts.<\/p>\n

As a low-lying and geographically isolated island, Bermuda is highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, including coastal erosion, sea level rise and stormwater inundation. Consequently, it is important for Bermuda to play its part in combatting climate change through consciously seeking to reduce our energy consumption, and ensure that our energy needs are being met from renewable sources as much as possible.<\/p>\n

This guidance note specifically relates to the adaptation measures we can implement to minimise the energy needs of buildings. The United Nations Environment Programme estimates that buildings account for approximately 40% of total energy use globally, and 30% of greenhouse gas emissions. By adopting energy efficiency design measures and technologies, we can significantly reduce the energy needs of our buildings, with long-term financial savings.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPurpose<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t

This guidance note provides guidance on the preparation of Energy Statements. The objective is to ensure that developments actively reduce energy needs at all stages of the process through incorporating energy efficiency measures and integrating renewable technologies wherever feasible.<\/p>

While the \u201cBermuda Image\u201d is not relevant to developments within the City of Hamilton, it must be considered in all other parts of the Island. As such, it is acknowledged that some of the measures outlined below may compete with the requirements to meet this \u201cImage\u201d. In these instances it is important that a balance be struck in applying appropriate measures without compromising the \u201cBermuda Image\u201d and overall design standards.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBermuda's Climate<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t

Bermuda enjoys a\u00a0temperate, sub-tropical\u00a0climate thanks to the Gulf Stream and the Bermuda-Azores High which push warm, equatorial water to the west and north of the Island, up from the Gulf of Mexico. This ensures comfortable temperatures year round, ranging from the mid-60s (on average) in the winter to the mid-80s (on average) in the summer.<\/p>

As a result of being surrounded by ocean and having relatively high rainfall, the year-round mean relative humidity is\u00a077%, which increases from May to October. Such high humidity levels can make the summer months feel warmer than the ambient air temperature, and the winter months feel colder. Mechanical heating and cooling systems are therefore commonplace across the island. \u00a0<\/p>

In addition, Bermuda\u2019s moisture rich air also has a notable salt content which comes with being an island in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. This can rapidly increase the rate of corrosion of some building materials, significantly impacting upon the maintenance requirements of a building and its lifespan. \u00a0<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe Government's Commitment<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t

In 1992, the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) was adopted by the United Kingdom. The objective of the Convention is to stabilize greenhouse gas levels in the atmosphere at a safe level. Bermuda is one of four Overseas Territories (OT) which have had UK ratification of the UN Framework extended to it.<\/p>

In 2016, Bermuda\u2019s Cabinet Office announced that many nations across the world had entered into the Paris Agreement, pledging to work together to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change. The Agreement provided a pathway for sovereign nations to work together on climate mitigation and adaptation efforts while encouraging participants to increase their commitments over time and further, that every actor within the global community should do its part. The UK signed the Agreement and welcomed interest from its Overseas Territories in also being covered by the Agreement.<\/p>

In 2021 the Deputy Premier\/ Minister of Home Affairs and Bermuda Business Development Agency\u00a0(BDA) attended the 26th\u00a0United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 26) in Glasgow, Scotland. The conference brought parties together to accelerate the action towards the goal of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. A document entitled \u201cThe<\/i>\u00a0Bermuda Difference in Climate Change and the UN Conference of Parties, Glasgow<\/em>\u201d declares that \u201cBermuda is committed to increasing our protection of our fragile ecosystem, reducing our carbon footprint, and mitigating the impact of climate change<\/em>. \u201c Collaborative initiatives with our partners both locally and internationally are also outlined in the report to protect our ecosystem and to mitigate the effects of climate risk. The report notes that \u201cthe Government\u2019s Bermuda Development Plan and Building Code has been updated to encourage and require adaptation measures, renewable energy and incorporating energy efficiencies<\/em>. \u201c<\/p>

The Government of Bermuda has partnered with the Green Overseas Programme (funded by the European Union) who will assist the Department of Planning with the review of its building code to make homes and buildings more energy efficient and more resistant to extreme weather.\u00a0<\/p>

This outlines the Government’s national commitment to climate change.\u00a0<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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As regulators of development activity we must ensure that sustainable practices are adopted and adhered to. There are a range of ways in which this can be achieved, including but not limited to, the implementation of a robust and up to date development plan and building code, which recognizes international best practice in response to this global issue.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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2. Policy Context- The Bermuda Plan 2018 and the City of Hamilton Plan 2025<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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Policy DSN.25 of the Bermuda Plan 2018 speaks to sustainable design and energy, requiring new developments to be designed in a manner that incorporates energy efficiency, water conservation, green building materials and\/or other sustainable design measures. <\/p>\n

The City of Hamilton Plan 2025 requires that development proposals consider climate change factors, sustainability and resource efficiency. In addition, the Plan has adopted a sharper focus on specific measures relating to clean energy and how energy demand within buildings can be minimized.<\/p>\n

There are a number of policies which provide the framework for the considerations of both Plans, as detailed here<\/a>. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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3. When is an Energy Statement Required?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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Policy GP.9 of the City of Hamilton Plan 2025 states that an Energy Statement is required for new developments (including adaptive re-use, change of use and extensions).<\/p>

While the Bermuda Plan 2018 does not specifically state when an Energy Statement is required, Policy DSN.25 of the Plan requires new developments to incorporate energy efficiency, water conservation, green building materials and\/or other sustainable design measures.\u00a0 As such, the request for an Energy Statement may be necessary to demonstrate compliance with this policy.\u00a0<\/p>

Those types of developments which are expected to submit an Energy Statement include:<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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