RTE presenter to launch energy plan in Newcastle West

THE STAR of RTE programmes ‘About the House’ and ‘Eco Eye’, Duncan Stewart, will be in Newcastle West this Saturday to help launch a new initiative to make West Limerick farms and businesses become more energy efficient.

West Limerick Resources (WLR) are starting up a pilot project that will help local companies, farmers and community groups in the area become more aware of using sustainable energy.

The initiative, which also involves the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), will work to transform West Limerick into a sustainable energy ‘region’.

Tim Coffey of West Limerick Resources said that people who take part in the scheme will receive training and advice on how to take energy efficient steps, apply for sustainable energy grants and other measures.

“The vision is to stimulate a national move towards sustainable and renewable energy practice through demonstration of best practice in the West Limerick region”.

Mr Coffey said that reducing reliance on imported fuels and increasing the use of our own renewable resources will “lead to new jobs, increased regional prosperity and make West Limerick a more attractive proposition to invest in”.

The West Limerick programme will be based on the SEAI’s community scheme in Dundalk, which saw the creation of a four square kilometre ‘sustainable energy zone’ where 2,500 people live, 3,500 people work and 5,850 people study.

It is estimated that by implementing energy efficiency measures across all sectors of this community, a total of €500,000 has been saved and 5,000 tonnes less of carbon dioxide is produced each year.

The launch of the project will be held at the Courtenay Lodge Hotel this Saturday at 3pm, and will feature Mr Stewart, Seamus Hoyne of LIT and Pat Stephens of the Limerick-Clare Energy Agency.

The event is free and booking is not necessary. For more information, contact 069 66296

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