29/07/2009

Push Energy Improvements, Says MEP

Northern Ireland MEP Bairbre de Brún has called on the Stormont Executive to set energy efficiency measures among its top priorities, as the new Swedish EU Presidency moves the issue up the political agenda.

Sweden, which took over the EU Presidency last month, hosted an informal meeting of energy and environment ministers in Åre, Sweden, last week, with energy efficiency high on the agenda.

Ms de Brún said: "Energy efficiency can help businesses through the economic crisis by lowering costs; can help less well off families out of fuel poverty and a shift to an energy-efficient economy can help economic growth.

"The Executive must use the resources and help available through the EU Task Force to put our economy on an energy-efficient path," said the Sinn Féin politician.

"Europe is clearly showing that climate-friendly policies such as energy efficiency and renewable energy can help economic growth and the Executive and Assembly must not be left behind."

The MEP added: "It is time to step up a gear in our engagement with Europe on this issue and to put energy efficiency and renewable energy at the heart of the Executive’s planning in the time ahead."

"If we fail to move we will end up importing solutions from others," she warned.

(PR/BMcC)

Related Northern Ireland Business News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

16 November 2001
Energy Efficiency workshop set for Portadown
The Energy Efficiency Best Practice Programme is set it launch its ‘Essential skills and techniques for managing energy’ workshops in Portadown on December 4.
22 January 2019
Industrial Energy Efficiency Accelerator Scheme Launched
The Carbon Trust has launched a new Industrial Energy Efficiency Accelerator (IEEA, which aims to identify new energy efficient technologies and accelerate their deployment.
24 June 2002
Action Energy aims to help cut energy costs
Monday June 24 saw the launch of Action Energy, a Government-backed initiative which aims to help businesses and organisations in Northern Ireland cut their energy costs through the provision of free, professional advice and assistance.
25 October 2004
Energy users urged to cut fuel bills and save environment
Millions of people could save money on fuel bills and help cut harmful greenhouse gases by joining in Energy Efficiency Week - a big energy-saving 'turn off' campaign kicking off today. Organised by the Energy Saving Trust, the nationwide campaign aims to raise awareness of the damage that wasting energy does to the climate.
09 May 2003
NIE awards Energy Efficiency Accreditation to SELB
The Southern Education and Library Board (SELB) has been awarded an Energy Efficiency Accreditation by Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE). This is only the third organisation in Northern Ireland to be accepted into the scheme.