The NBG and its Borkum municipal utilities have been following the path of energy saving since the federal government's call for September 01, 2022 due to the impending gas shortage in Germany. In recent months, for example, the first measures have already been implemented in the sports, health and adventure facility “Gezeitenland ~ Water & Wellness”, which includes, among other things, lowering the pool temperature in the sports and adventure pool by 2° C to 27° C. The sunlight outside meant that the water was additionally “naturally” heated and was and currently is warmer. As a medical pool, the temperature of the therapy pool remains at a temperature of around 32° C. “Depending on the weather conditions, we are considering closing the outdoor pool and removing it from the heat supply, probably on September 12, 2022,” says Peter Schöpel, operations manager Gezeitenlandit. “In the off-season, attempts are made to schedule cleaning times during daylight hours wherever possible,” adds Schöpel.

From September 01st, 2022, the Energy Saving Ordinance on Short-Term Effective Measures (EnSikuMaV), which is initially valid for six months, and subsequently the corresponding ordinance for medium-term measures, which cover everything from passage areas and corridors to offices, technical rooms and workshops to almost every work area, will apply in the NBG properties and facilities which affects around 150 NBG employees. The temperatures will be adjusted in accordance with the new regulation in the respective premises and the previously generally applicable minimum temperatures of the workplace regulations will be lowered and entrance doors and systems will not be kept open permanently. The hot water is turned off in places where hand washing is the main focus, for example in the toilet facilities.

The lighting of buildings or monuments from the outside is prohibited, with the exception of security and emergency lighting. Also excluded are short-term lighting at spa events and folk festivals and, in general, all cases in which the lighting is necessary to maintain traffic safety or to ward off other dangers and cannot be replaced at short notice by other measures. In the outdoor areas of the public buildings and facilities operated by the NBG, radiation is deactivated in the evening, the illuminated signs and digital steles are time-regulated and therefore unlit from 22.00 p.m. The colorful lighting along the foyer and at the music pavilion is also deactivated from 22.00 p.m. In the Kurpark and around the Kulturinsel, on the Upper and Lower Promenades and in the park on Bismarckstrasse, the lanterns are adapted to the rhythm of the street lighting, i.e. switched off from 02.00 a.m. onwards.
The regulation also applies to the area of ​​responsibility of the city of Borkum, which is why there has been close coordination with the city of Borkum in this regard. The NBG Supervisory Board was informed about the measures taken at its meeting on September 01, 2022.

The Borkum municipal utility company is currently preparing a compilation of information on saving electricity and heating, which will be available on their website by the end of the month at the latest. "Whether in the kitchen, the bathroom, or with everyday electrical appliances in general – small changes in usage habits can add up to a reduction of several kilowatt-hours of electricity," says Axel Held, Director of the Borkum municipal utility company. "This also has an impact on reducing gas consumption for electricity generation during the winter months." The complete ordinance on the security of energy supply through short-term measures (EnSikuMaV) is available in the press section of this website.

But not only the facilities and buildings of the NBG and Stadtwerke Borkum, but also the events need to be taken into account in the current situation. There was therefore intensive internal discussion regarding the exemption for cultural events and folk festivals in the new regulation. For example, it was decided to keep the light week in October as a basic tourist offer in the autumn months. As in the previous year, energy-saving LED lights, the majority of which are powered by batteries, will be used to provide accentuated lighting for buildings and monuments that are illuminated on an hourly basis. In addition, the duration of the lighting will be discussed with the cooperation partner. However, the laser show originally planned for New Year's Eve, which was intended to replace a general fireworks display in the future, was canceled. In order to be able to offer all locals and guests a colorful end to the year in Borkum after a two-year break, a traditional fireworks display is expected to be used. Discussions on this are ongoing.

“The last three years have required a balancing act of decisions between waiver and offer,” reports Göran Sell, Managing Director of NBG. “At the same time, it is important to comply with the current requirements and regulations. “It’s often a balancing act and a challenging situation for all sides,” adds Sell. For example, both Borkum children and adults at the tennis school as well as travel groups should be prepared in the off-season that when using the tennis hall, the indoor temperature is limited to 12-15° C, depending on the weather. Further restrictions in public facilities are to be expected, so the foyer of the culture island will remain minimally heated and the temperatures in the play island may also have to be reduced. “We are currently questioning all rooms and sites so that with the upcoming follow-up regulation in October we will have certainty for all areas and can communicate these to locals and guests alike,” assures Sell.

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