Minister for Higher Education Simon Harris and Minister for the Environment Eamon Ryan today announced €12 million in funding to improve energy efficiency and support decarbonisation in higher education.
The funds will go towards projects in the Energy Efficiency and Decarbonisation Pathfinder Programme for the higher-education sector.
Projects that will be considered for funding include deep retrofitting with low-temperature air-source heat pumps, geothermal water source heat pumps with boreholes and deep fabric retrofit.
The investment is part of the government’s efforts to improve energy efficiency by 50 per cent and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 51 per cent by 2030.
In a press statement today, Harris said: “I am delighted to announce that we are doubling the funding available in this programme to advance the climate action agenda in the higher education sector. We want more institutions involved and more money making a difference on the ground.”
“Our 2030 targets for energy efficiency and decarbonisation are ambitious, but I’m here to say that we plan to meet them. This programme will help institutions get there, developing and disseminating knowledge for the sector as a whole. This of course is building on the excellent work already being done by the sector in the area of sustainability and climate action.”
The Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science and the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications are cofunding the programme, under Project Ireland 2040, a long-term public investment strategy.
Ryan said in a press statement: “Our higher education campuses are where our young people come to learn and share ideas, and they are also places of research and innovation. So it’s appropriate that this sector is taking a lead role in energy efficiency and climate action.”
“Our target of achieving at least 50% emissions reduction by 2030 is challenging but we are determined to achieve it. I’m impressed with what has already been done in this sector and am delighted that we are increasing the funding for another round of projects through the Energy Efficiency and Decarbonisation Pathfinder Programme.”
Last year, Trinity availed of the fund for a part window replacement, roof installation, LED lighting and base load heat pump in the Moyne Institute.
Higher education institutions will soon be invited to apply for programme funding, for projects to be carried out in 2022.
