Eamon Ryan elected as new leader of Green Party
Eamon Ryan newly elected as leader of the Green Party this afternoo with 71.6% of the vote. More to follow...
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Six-week consultation on green public procurement launched
The government has published its draft national action plan on green public procurement (GPP). Environment minister Phil Hogan said the plan, when finalised later this year, will apply to all personnel involved in procurement across the public sector.
The plan aims to ensure the government purchases sustainable products and services in areas such as construction, energy, food and transport.
Grants for heat pumps and biomass boilers withdrawn
The government is withdrawing grant support for heat pumps and biomass boilers and reducing grants for other energy efficiency upgrades as part of its new Better Energy national building upgrade programme. The government has allocated an additional €30m to the programme this year in addition to the €60m set aside in this year's budget. It expects the extra funding to support an additional 2,000 jobs in the retrofit sector in 2011.
SEAI launches eighth annual Sustainable Energy Awards
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) has opened entries for the eighth all-island Sustainable Energy Awards. Sponsored by ESB Electric Ireland, the awards honour individuals and organisations that "demonstrate excellence in sustainable energy practices".
The competition is open to private and public sector organisations of all sizes throughout the island of Ireland.
Government launches electric vehicle grant scheme
Energy minister Pat Rabbitte today announced the opening of the government's electric vehicle grant scheme. Eligible vehicles can receive a grant of up to €5,000.
Qualifying vehicles sold after 1 January 2011 will be eligible, and a total of €5m has been allocated for the scheme.
Passive house scheme wins Isover Energy Efficiency Award
Ireland's first passive house development emerged as the big winner at the first inaugural Isover Energy Efficiency Awards in Dublin on Friday. The Grange Lough project — by developer Michael Bennett and Shoalwater Timber Frame — won first place in the competition and will now go on to Isover's European awards in Barcelona this June. This is the first time Ireland will be represented at the finals.
New BOI mortgage rate for home energy upgrades
Bank of Ireland has launched Ireland's first "green equity release" loan. The new mortgage feature allows customers to unlock equity in their home to invest in energy efficient home improvements.
Homeowners with SEAI grant approval for their home improvements can now avail of the bank’s LTV mortgage rate of 3%.
Fuel poverty conference to hit Dublin on Feb 7-8
The pioneering energy charity Energy Action is set to hold a two-day fuel poverty conference in Dublin Castle on 7-8 February.
“The introduction of the carbon tax on fuel costs in 2010 has
further exacerbated the health and monetary problems for the fuel poor,”
said Energy Action general manager Charles Roarty. “Due to low income
and possibly debt these households will not have the funds needed to pay
for retrofitting measures, even allowing for SEAI’s Home Energy Saving
scheme grants.”
Termites trump human know-how on green building
Mankind can learn more about cutting energy consumption and carbon emissions by studying insects than by engaging in a space-race approach focused on high tech answers, leading Irish architect Seán Harrington writes in the new issue of green building and upgrading magazine Construct Ireland.
CI exclusive: Ryan dismisses reports of energy grant cuts
Government grant schemes for energy upgrade measures such as insulation, heating controls and renewable energy systems are running as normal, energy minister Eamon Ryan TD has told Construct Ireland. The minister said that €99m is set aside for the Greener Homes scheme, Home Energy Saving scheme and Warmer Homes scheme in 2011.
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Renewable energy in Ireland grew 15% in last 4 years
Renewable energy in Ireland grew by an average of 15% per annum from 2005 to 2009 driven largely by a significant growth in wind energy of 28% per annum in that period, according to SEAI's latest Energy in Ireland report. Last year also witnessed a steady trend towards lower energy prices in Ireland for both domestic and business energy users.
Energy upgrade programmes escape budget cuts
Government subsidies for energy efficiency and renewable energy have come through Budget 2011 unscathed in spite of swinging cuts across the economy.
Energy minister Eamon Ryan TD has announced a budget of €99m for energy upgrading Irish buildings in 2011 as the government ramps up for the launch of the National Energy Retrofit Programme (NERP).
Ministers announce plan for European electricity supergrid
Energy minister Eamon Ryan has said that formal preparations for a European electricity supergrid have begun.
In Brussels today, energy ministers from ten European countries signed an agreement on the North Seas Countries Offshore Grid Initiative, which will aim to develop a supergrid in northern Europe, increase the amount of renewable energy produced in the Europe's northern seas and facilitate large scale offshore wind projects.
New funding for green energy companies in Ireland
Energy Minister Eamon Ryan today announced new funding for renewable energy companies in Ireland.
The funding is part of a Europe-wide programme that will be managed jointly by the European Commission, European Investment Bank and EU member states. It will assist eight carbon capture and storage and 34 renewable energy projects in the EU.