Local authorities invited to submit proposals for renewable energy centres

Oireachtas Sub Committee on Job Creation through use of Renewable Energy Resources

This is why we need representatives that have comprehensive knowledge and experience in not only making technical submissions but also a vision for a green economy. Our economic future lies in a smart and green economy, dependent on innovation,research and development. As some of you may now know I was requested to stand in the local election in the Skibbereen Area because people believed i had these skills and have a tract record to prove it. 

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The Oireachtas Sub Committee on Job Creation through use of Renewable Energy Resources has invited proposals from County Councils on the feasibility of locating renewable energy projects in their local authority areas.

The renewable energy projects will follow the example of the town of Gussing in Austria where a renewable energy project has transformed the local economy.

In Gussing, 50 new companies have been established since the 1990s, employing more than 1,000 people through the establishment and continual expansion of an alternative system of producing energy from sustainable resources, grown, garnered and utilised in the local area, and using this energy to supply electricity and heat to business, industry and private homes in the same area.

Chairman of the Sub-Committee on Job Creation through use of Renewable Energy Resources, Willie Penrose, TD, said: “We should observe what is happening in other countries and seek to use the knowledge gained to create new jobs and employment opportunities in Ireland which will be good for the economy and the environment.”

“Renewable energy projects have the potential to create thousands of jobs throughout the country. Renewable energy projects provide opportunities at every stage of development from initial research through to manufacturing, construction, operation and maintenance. In the US, Barack Obama plans to invest $150 billion over 10 years in a ‘clean energy’ economy that will help the private sector create five million new green jobs. There is no reason why a similar approach cannot be adopted here.”

Following a fact-finding trip to view the Gussing Energy, the Joint Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment established the Sub-Committee on Job Creation through use of Renewable Energy Resources in October 2008. It aims to identify locations in Ireland for establishing projects similar to the Gussing project.

At least one of these locations will be in Connacht/Donegal, one in Leinster/Cavan/Monaghan and one in Munster. It aims to identify which of these locations would be suitable for the establishment there of a Solarteur School. Solarteur Schools provide training in renewable energy technologies to students and skilled workers in the building, engineering and other sectors.

The Sub-Committee is now inviting proposals from County Councils on the feasibility of locating a project of this nature, including the establishment of a Solarteur School, in their local authority area. While the Sub-Committee is not offering to fund the projects, it will use its office to convince the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to promote the development of these job-creation projects at the most suitable locations.