Written answers

Tuesday, 25 March 2014

Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

Energy Usage

Photo of Stephen DonnellyStephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Independent)
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599. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the specific supports to be provided to businesses to help them reduce costs through energy and resource efficiency, as outlined in action 96 of the Action Plan for Jobs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13167/14]

Photo of Pat RabbittePat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) continues to support the Large Industry Energy Network (LIEN) and the Energy Agreements Programme in line with Action 96 in the Action Plan for Jobs and as part of the implementation of the National Energy Efficiency Action Plan (NEEAP). Now in operation for over 18 years, the LIEN engages over 160 of the largest energy users in on-going relationships, including site visits, through workshops and seminars, special working groups, networking clusters, and annual energy performance reporting. LIEN members share information on energy-saving technologies and techniques to maximise savings and maintain competitiveness. Energy spend across the LIEN is approximately €870 million and now represents 17% of National Total Primary Energy Requirement (TPER). LIEN members recorded savings of 580GWh in 2012 which equates to a €40 million saving. The Energy Agreements Programme comprises approximately half of the LIEN membership and supports large industry to implement an energy-management system through the new ISO 50001 standard. Consistent annual savings across the Network averages between 2% and 3% per annum. Cumulative savings of in excess of 28% have been achieved to date.

The SEAI’s focus continues to be on promoting energy efficiency and associated cost reduction programmes through the small business support centre. During 2013, close to 300 organisations availed of the Advice Mentoring and Assessments (AMA) and/or EnergyMap training with a further 300 engaging in networking events, seminars, master classes and awards, collectively resulting in energy savings to SMEs of €2.6 million. Annual savings of over 10% are being generated by the participating businesses year on year.

Following the commitment in the Programme for Government and NEEAP, my Department has developed the National Energy Services Framework to help develop the energy-efficiency market in the non-domestic sector throughout Ireland. The Framework provides an integrated resource to both businesses and public bodies to help them become more energy efficient. The key to the success of the Framework will be the ability to identify and build a pool of investment grade projects. The first tranche of exemplar energy efficiency projects was launched in June 2013. Collectively, the exemplar projects will see investments of up to €55 million in energy saving measures, resulting in annual energy cost savings of €7 million. A total of €480,000 in technical assistance has so far been committed across the initial 21 exemplar projects. The Framework will be complemented by the Energy Efficiency Fund, which will provide commercially priced finance to energy efficiency projects.

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