by Kathy Masterson
A NEW €16 million energy conservation programme – the first of its kind in the country – was launched by the Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board (LCETB) at the Limerick College of Further Education this week.
Education Minister Jan O’Sullivan launched the energy initiative ‘Let’s Conserve Energy Together Better’, which is expected to receive a total investment in excess of €16.4 million.
The initiative will be implemented across all LCETB schools, further education centres and administrative offices throughout Limerick and Clare, with the primary objective of reducing overall electricity and thermal energy usage by more than 50 per cent per annum.
“I warmly welcome the fact that Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board is the first Irish public sector participant in the EU’s EEEF programme.
“Education has a pivotal role to play in meeting the Government’s 2020 energy reduction targets and I would hope that LCETB’s example will lead the way for other education bodies to follow suit,” said Minister O’Sullivan.
The LCETB is the first Education and Training Board in the country to undertake such an energy initiative, which was developed in collaberation with the European Commission’s Technical Assistance Facility.
LCETB will receive funds from the European Energy Efficiency Fund (eeef) to enable it to pursue the project.
Also present at the launch were student representatives from schools across Limerick and Clare from the LCETB schools’ green committees, as well as students who displayed their successful entries in the recent Young Scientist exhibition
George O’Callaghan, Chief Executive of LCETB said” “We’re proud to be the first Education and Training Board in Ireland to take on this challenge and we hope that our commitment and efforts will ensure that the Irish education sector plays a pivotal role in contributing to Ireland’s 2020 energy reduction targets.
“Our goal is to enhance the learning environment for students and instructors, by carrying out energy efficiency deep retrofit projects and installing renewable energy systems at appropriate sites. This initiative will benefit and empower local communities, create employment and promote a culture of awareness, efficiency and best practice for all LCETB stakeholders.”
