Why Renewables Energy for Co. Donegal ?
Renewable Energy is important at a local level to ensure a sustainable energy future and there are many environmental and economic benefits associated with developing renewables, these include:
- Carbon emission reduction
- Clean green energy production from local natural resources
- Lowered use and reliance on fossil fuel sources of energy
- Reduced and zero energy costs for local SMEs, householders and public sector buildings
- Stimulation of economic activity locally through job creation and expenditure in the area of renewables, energy efficiency products and services
- Progressing self sustaining communities
- Stimulating better rural development
Why Sustainable Energy for Donegal County Council ?
Donegal County Council realizes the many environmental and economic benefits of integrating sustainable energy and is committed to developing on site renewables, to offset the need for fossil fuel energy supply. Recently the Council has established a Cross Directorate Energy Steering Group to progress sustainable energy within the Council sites and facilities. The main objectives of the working group is to:
- Reduce the County Council carbon footprint through lowering carbon emissions year on year
- Reduce the annual electricity and heating bill through installing renewable energy and introducing energy efficiency practices
- Initiate a number of pilot and exemplary renewable energy projects
- Devise and implement a Cross Directorate Sustainable Energy Action Plan
- Introduce a range of on-site renewables with a view to exporting to the national grid
- Work towards compliance with national targets as outlined in the Energy White Paper, Climate Change Strategy and National Energy Efficiency Action Plan.
What are our National Targets for Renewables ?
National Targets from the White Paper – The Energy Policy Framework 2007-2020 are
- 2020 target of 33% of electricity consumption from renewables.
- A total of 11,684 GWh of renewables for electricity generation by 2020.
- 15% of electricity consumption from renewables by 2010 through new and existing projects under the REFIT Scheme.
- Pursuing the potential for solar energy.
- Target of 5% market penetration of renewables in the heat market by 2010 through encouraging renewable energy in the domestic, community, commercial and industrial environments. This target increases to 12% by 2020.
- A target of 5.75% biofuels market penetration by 2010 increasing to 10% by 2020.
- Target to deliver sustainable energy programmes for our small offshore islands.
- The use of 100% pure plant oil in captive fleets maintained by Local Authorities.
- 20% reduction in energy demand for Ireland by 2020 (33% reduction by the public sector).
What is Renewable Energy ?
Renewable energy is energy derived from natural resources, such as water, wind, sun and geothermal, all of which are infinite sources of energy. Unlike fossil fuel these sources of energy are non exhaustive and can be harnessed with minimal environmental impact. Renewable energy helps reduce carbon emissions and climate change. For further information please visit Sustainable Energy Ireland at www.sei.ie