ENERGY waste at County Hall has reached such levels that councillors are considering buying a wood burning boiler to tackle emissions.

Dorset County Council wants to spend £200,000 on the boiler after a report highlighted rising levels of electricity, gas and carbon use.

Councillors have been told that County Hall uses as much electricity at night as a medium-sized secondary school does in the day.

And despite initiatives to reduce the use of gas and oil, the amount of electricity used has risen by 12 per cent since 2005.

Now the council is considering a range of renewable energy measures including wind power, water storage and solar panels to tackle waste.

A joint report by the director of corporate resources and the director for environment highlights the extent of waste over the past eight years.

It states: 'Although gas and oil consumption has continued to decrease over recent years, electricity consumption has started to rise due to an increase in the use of electrical equipment within the offices.' It says as a result County Hall consumes two million kilowatt hours per year of electricity.

Currently heat is generated by three main space boilers and a smaller water heating boiler.

The new wood boiler would help to reduce the amount spent each year on heating the offices.

Two companies are in the running to install the new boiler even though the council admits it still has to find room to store the wood.

Up to 35 per cent of the costs could be met by a government grant reducing the net cost to £145,000.

The council is compiling a report about the feasibility of the scheme.

Other 'small-scale' measures to be considered include installing a roof- mounted wind turbine to produce 2.5kW of electricity.

A water tank could also be fitted to store rain which could then be used on plants around County Hall.

There will also be a study into the use of solar panels on the roof of the building. The report says the council should be proud of its record in reducing waste.

'Since 1979 the environment directorate energy team has taken forward a comprehensive energy and water conservation programme installing energy and water savings measures, as well as improving monitoring and raising staff awareness.

'As a result, the county council has made major energy reductions equating to a cumulative saving of over £28 million and as a result County Hall uses 18 per cent less energy than other buildings of comparable size.' The matters are due to be discussed at the corporate overview and policy development committee on Thursday.