The Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Mr. Eamon Ryan T.D. presented Energy Management Certificates to 30 Small and Medium Enterprises (SME’s) from throughout Clare and Limerick at a ceremony in Ennis last night.Each of the SME’s has successfully completed the Energy Management Certification Scheme, which is organised by the Limerick Clare Energy Agency (LCEA). The primary aim of the scheme is to establish a business network that helps companies to identify the energy they need, what kind of energy they are using and how efficiently they are using it. Participating SME’s also learn whether their local and global competitors are more efficient at using energy to create work and wealth, and whether they can use indigenous energy resources to reduce their dependence on imported fossil fuels.
The pilot project, which is free of charge to participating companies, is being administered by the LCEA, in association with the National Standards Authority of Ireland, Clare Local Development Company and Shannon Development. “SME’s throughout Clare and Limerick risk going under if they fail to control their energy bills and establish an energy efficient manner of conducting business”, warned LCEA Manager Pat Stephens.
He explained, “Companies have come to recognise that in an open economy such as Ireland’s every company is competing with similar enterprises around the world for business. Those enterprises that choose to ignore the importance of energy efficiency, security of energy supply and CO2 emissions are surrendering control of their business to energy companies in the Middle East and Russia. Similar companies in China are not making the same choices.”
Mr. Stephens acknowledged that the Midwest Region’s large multinationals had put in place the necessary measures to ensure that they remain functional during any potential energy crisis. He added that SME’s needed to follow suit by securing an economic and efficient supply of energy. “By 2030 the 27 EU countries will have to import 93% of the oil that they need. Furthermore, it seems likely that existing sources of oil will be unable to meet this growing demand. Without urgent and significant action on energy security and climate change, we in Clare and Limerick will feel the environment winds of change soon after the economic storm has done its worst. Participation in the SME Energy Management Certification Scheme is just one way that companies can avoid such an eventuality”, concluded Mr. Stephens.
Companies interested in joining the free pilot project should contact the Limerick Clare Energy Agency at 061-202746 / info@lcea.ie or visit www.lcea.ie to download the energy management tools.
