Would Your Business Benefit From An Energy Intern?
Media release: 30th of July
The Louth Economic Forum (LEF) and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) are calling out to 60 businesses in the Louth area to participate in Louth Energy Saving Pilot. Interns trained by SEAI in best practice energy management will be available, at no cost to the business, to support and help you reduce your energy costs. The LEF Sustainable Energy Action Plan will see 10 suitably qualified interns placed with a small number of host organisations through the FÁS Work Placement Programme. The 10 Interns will each support a number of smaller SME’s in the local area as well as their host organisation. The 60 places for business are currently being filled on a first come first served basis.
Building on SEAI’s Dundalk 2020 Strategic Framework, the Energy Management Action Programme from SEAI is a formal programme aimed at any business within the area who is committed to reducing their energy spend and is open to companies of all sizes. The 60 businesses will be supported in 2 phases; the first phase of 30 will begin at the end of August. The only criteria required for application is 12 months of energy bills and a positive attitude to supporting the Energy Manager Intern achieve significant energy savings, it is expected that all participating businesses will save 10% on their annual energy costs by implementation of no or low cost initiatives.
Once placed within a company, the Energy Management Intern will provide intensive onsite assistance to small businesses across the county for approximately 4 months, delivering structured assistance in establishing and delivering integrated energy management programmes under the five pillars of energy management; Commit, Identify, Plan, Take Action and Review. Each intern will work with their host organisation and up to three other private sector SME’s and will be subject to intensive training and mentoring from SEAI throughout the duration of the pilot.
Speaking at the launch of the drive to recruit local businesses in the Louth area, Declan Meally, Head of Energy Demand Management, SEAI said: “This is a great opportunity for local businesses to improve their approach to energy use, which will not only help the environment but provide opportunity for significant savings. We are greatly encouraged by the calibre of companies who have signed up so far and we would really like to stress that this programme is open to all companies in the county, from SMEs to larger corporations, there is an opportunity for everyone to benefit from this programme”.
Chairman of Louth Economic Forum, Padraic White said: “We know that many organisations are in need of energy management and we would encourage these to enter this programme. The savings potential are also significant for the companies involved; this programme alone is targeted to achieve €500,000 in savings. The delivery of energy management training to companies as being a key focus for our Sustainable Energy Action Plan. We are delighted that this pilot project is now getting off the ground”.
Closing date for expression of interest is the 13th of August 2010, for further information on how your business can apply please contact louthenergysaving@seai.ie.
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About SEAI:
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) has a mission to play a leading role in transforming Ireland into a society based on sustainable energy structures, technologies and practices. The Authority is financed by Ireland’s EU Structural Funds Programme co-funded by the Irish Government and the European Union.
If you are a business interested in participating in the Louth Energy Saving Pilot, click here to download the expression of interest form in PDF format.
Click here to download a copy of this press release in PDF format.
