The Port of Cork has signed up as a partner of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). The partnership will see the Port implementing an Energy Action Plan which will contribute to the national Public Sector energy efficiency improvement target which has been set for 2020.
‘The National Energy Efficiency Action Plan 2009-2020’ set a target of 33% reduction in energy use and its fulfillment will have a significant impact on the success of the Irish economy and on the creation of a more sustainable environment into the future. This strategic plan will work in conjunction with the Port of Cork’s existing environmental policy, and will aim to deliver energy savings of at least 3% annually which will see a significant reduction in energy consumption across the Port’s operations.
Denis Healy, Manager of Engineering Services at the Port of Cork, says “As we are a 24 hour port working 365 days a year, we are continuously looking for ways that we can become more energy efficient. This new partnership with the SEAI gives us a great opportunity to develop a structured programme and adopt best practice standards to work in a more sustainable way.”
A key aim of the SEAI is to help public sector organisations achieve energy efficiency through facilitating the Partnership Programme, which offers a support package to large organisations towards meeting their obligations, in return for commitment to energy management. The Port of Cork joins a number of other high profile organisations who have already become partners of the SEAI including UCC, the Defence Forces and Bus Eireann.
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Pictured (L to R): Brendan Keating, Chief Executive of Port of Cork; Minister for Communications, Energy & Natural Resources, Pat Rabbitte TD; Henry Kingston, Senior Engineer, Port of Cork; and Declan Meally, SEAI. (Photo: Clare Keogh, www.clarekeogh.ie).