The economy could save as much as €1.7 billion each year if plans to introduce energy efficiency measures in public buildings by 2020 are successful, Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Eamon Ryan said today.
A Government action plan outlining measures designed to help reach an EU target of a 20 per cent saving of annual primary energy usage by 2020 was outlined by Minister Ryan today.
Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Eamon Ryan
The National Energy Efficiency Action Plan outlines a programme of initiatives such as the introduction of energy ratings for all public buildings including Garda stations, hospitals and Government departments.
"This Action Plan reaches across the many arms of Government, throughout business and into homes. We have set the bar even higher for the public sector," Mr Ryan said.
"We want to maintain our quality of life while using less. If we reach our targets, we will save an estimated €1.7 billion every year or the equivalent of 3 million tonnes of oil."
EU member states ratified an energy efficiency action plan last October in which members commited themselves to the 20 per cent target by 2020. However, the Government set itself a target of 30 per cent, to surpass the EU ambition by the same date.
According to Minister Ryan, the State has identified 75 per cent of actions that would be required to meet the EU target but had also identified potential in the business, residential and public sectors that would take Ireland beyond the EU target of 20 per cent.