The University of Bergen is facing very high electricity bills in the current, next and coming years. UiB has already implemented a number of measures to reduce energy consumption in order to make the university climate neutral by 2030. This has been done by focusing on targeted measures such as seawater systems, solar panels and development and upgrading of buildings.

The university management informed the university board about the increased energy costs in a meeting on 15/9. The board authorized the university management to implement cost-saving measures to manage energy costs in the short and long term. UiB has also received a letter from the Ministry of Education and Science about implementing measures that have an effect in the short and long term.

The measures being implemented have been presented to the shop stewards and safety representatives in the Negotiation Committee, the students and have as a prerequisite that they should not go beyond the core business or a proper working environment.

Example of measures implemented by all units in dialogue with local management:
-Inform and motivate our own employees to contribute so that we can reduce energy consumption together.
– Respect the operating hours and that the building is closed for operations at weekends, in the evenings and during holidays.
-Use less hot water, fill dishwashers and autoclaves completely before starting.
-Close doors and windows, switch off lights, projectors, screens etc when not in use.
-Optimizes the use of space.

Example of measures implemented:
-Reduce operating times for ventilation in the buildings by around 10%.
-Lower the indoor temperature (NB: not below the recommended limit).
-Close technical facilities in buildings operationally during holidays, especially important in the cold season.
-Reduce water temperature in the swimming pool to the lowest recommended (26°C) and ventilation in the swimming hall accordingly.

Sincerely, university director Robert Rastad and rector Margareth Hagen