There has been a 50% reduction in the detection of E.coli in Irish public drinking water in the last two years, according to a new report by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This is the EPA’s third report on drinking water quality since new regulations were introduced in 2007 providing for a greater level of … Read more
Multinational utility companies are seeking to invest over Eur2 billion to harness the energy of County Clare’s wind, wave, tidal and biomass resources. This is according to the Clare County Development Board (CDB), which has launched its Integrated Strategy on Energy & Climate Change. The plan sets the path for Clare to become a low … Read more
At a recent meeting of Irish and international ocean energy experts, John Mullins, chief executive of Bord Gais, spoke of his concern that not enough investment and planning is being put into developing Ireland’s ocean energy resources, an industry which could create up to 70,000 jobs and deliver a cumulative benefit of €120 billion to … Read more
Belfast Harbour and DONG Energy, a world leader in offshore wind farms, are combining to establish a new hub for the burgeoning offshore wind energy sector. As part of the project, Belfast Harbour is to fund and build a new £40m, 450m quay and 50-acre logistics space on the County Down side of the Harbour. … Read more
The EU 2020 renewable energy policy goals are likely to be met and exceeded if Member States fully implement their national renewable energy action plans and if financing instruments are improved, according to the European Commission. However, the Commission stresses the need for further co-operation between Member States and a better integration of renewable energy … Read more
Renewable Energy World Europe, Europe’s leading renewable energy conference and exhibition, has announced that the industry remains divided as to whether the EU can achieve its 20-20-20 targets (generate 20% of its total energy from renewables by 2020). In a survey of global utility companies and energy firms, Renewable Energy World Europe found that 44% … Read more
9.3 gigawatt (GW) of new wind power capacity was installed in the EU during 2010, reaching a total of 84 GW by the end of 2010, according European Wind Energy Association (EWEA). While offshore wind power installations grew 51% from 582 MW in 2009 to 883 MW last year, new onshore wind power installations (8.4 … Read more
Despite the difficult economic circumstances during 2010 Ireland’s environment continues to be of high quality, according to the EPA’s End of Year Statement for 2010. ”The EPA has a clear focus on what it needs to achieve as the Agency charged with overseeing environmental protection in Ireland. Limiting and adapting to climate change and making … Read more
Bord Gais Energy is taking a shareholding in OpenHydro, the Irish tidal renewable energy company. OpenHydro and Bord Gais Energy have also formed a joint venture focused on the development of a utility scale tidal farm off the coast of Ireland. Bord Gais Energy will initially invest Eur1million in OpenHydro, which specialises in the design … Read more
Eras Eco, the Cork based waste treatment and recycling plant, has announced plans for a €10 million investment in new environmentally friendly technology at its site at Foxhole, Youghal. Ten new full-time jobs will be created once the new facilities are commissioned in addition to approximately 20 jobs during the construction and installation phase. The … Read more