Dublin City Council (DCC), the Sustainability Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and the International Sustainability Investment Centre (formerly the Green IFSC) announced a new initiative called Docklands 21 extending their reach to a full Sustainable Energy Community (SEC). While Dublin Docklands represents the financial heart of the Irish economy. It is also home to a vibrant residential community with finance, legal, tech services co-existing alongside a working port and a very active culture and educational sector
This event marked the second day of the “Sustainability Gathering 2015” and was opened by Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Alex White, T.D.
Minister White commented: “This Government is firmly committed to the ambitious goal of improving the energy efficiency of Ireland’s economy by at least 20% by 2020. This is a challenging target but reaching it will lead to a sustained long-term increase in incomes, employment and economic activity and improve competitiveness of our economy.”He went on to say: “Flagship projects like Docklands 2021 will play an important role in meeting this target, not only for the energy savings they deliver but also convincing more firms and communities across Ireland to work together and develop similar collaborative projects that can demonstrate the wider benefits of energy efficiency. This initiative will help us attract more companies that want to be based in a country committed to delivering a sustainable energy future.”
Docklands 21 aims to ensure that by 2021 Dublin Docklands will represent best-in-class when it comes to resource efficiency activities – saving money, evolving business models and driving long term business competitiveness. Docklands 21 is looking to inspire companies, SME’s, communities, institutions and professional services to improve their consumption profile. It will also encourage participants to increase their resource efficiency and optimise their energy related business operations within the Docklands geographic zone.
Guided by Dublin City Council’s Strategic Development Zone (SDZ) plan, a future 40 hectares of the Docklands still remains to be developed. This includes an estimated €2BN investment in office space and 2,600 residential units.
Paul Clegg, Executive Manager with responsibility for the Docklands Strategic Development Zone remarked :“Dublin City Council is fully committed to delivering the objectives of the Docklands Strategic Development Zone by creating a sustainable world-class maritime quarter with a distinctive Dublin character. It will be a model of sustainable inner city regeneration incorporating socially inclusive neighbourhoods, a diverse, green innovation-based economy contributing to the prosperity of the locality, the city and the country, all supported by exemplary social and physical infrastructure and a quality public realm integrated with the wider city”.
Speaking at the event Brian Motherway, Chief Executive of SEAI said“SEAI is delighted to be working with ISI Centre and Dublin City Council on this fantastic programme. The businesses located in the IFSC have shown tremendous commitment to energy efficiency laying strong foundations for Docklands 21 as it brings in the wider community. Such collaboration is a key driver of innovation and a major enabler for businesses of the future.”
Dublin City Council are also leading the way by investing in LED lighting for the Docklands – in 2013 and supported by SEAI, Grand Canal Plaza was fitted out with LED public lighting. Later this month DCC go out to tender for additional LED public lighting, bringing total investment over 2 years to circa €400,000.
All future Dockland developments will comply with the highest energy efficiency standards and will be guided by the Strategic Development Zone plan.