Firms given €9m in energy funding

Over 40 companies and State bodies have been awarded funding totalling €9 million for projects under the national Energy Efficiency Fund.

The projects, which include 20 in the public sector and 23 in the private and voluntary sectors, will generate savings of over €70 million over their lifetimes, according to the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland.

It says this is equivalent to avoiding 50,000 tons of CO2 emissions or taking over 100,000 cars off Irish roads.

The projects include upgrades to make public buildings more energy efficient, improvement to lighting and refrigeration in supermarkets and greater fuel efficiencies in certain transport fleets.

Announcing the funding today, Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources Eamon Ryan said the fund involved getting “more for less” by providing more efficient energy services using less supply.

“We must tackle the needless waster of energy across all sectors. In these straitened times, no-one can afford to pay for unused energy. Increased energy efficiency is the one sure way to secure enduring reductions in energy use and energy expenditure.”

The fund, which was launched in May 2010, was oversubscribed with applications by the closing date in August.

Six organisations - Tesco, Dunnes Stores, Dawn Meats, EMC International, Keelings Softfruits and a coalition of county and town councils in Kerry and Cork - qualified for the maximum support of €500,000.

Tesco is to install more efficient lighting and freezer systems in its store, while Keelings will use exhaust warm air to improve growing conditions in its greenhouses.

Other projects include an upgrade for Dublin’s Mansion House and the installation of solar heating panels on the roof of the Custom House.

Mr Ryan said he was confidence the scheme would continue next year.