“That Roscommon County Council takes immediate steps to hedge the organisation against spiralling energy costs by embarking on a program of significant investment in micro generation and energy conservation supplemented by availing of all accessible grant assistance and utilising every available and suitable corporate roof space to install solar panels and also implement other energy saving facilities enhancements in the interest of prudent resource management, leading by example and in accordance with our 2030 emission reduction commitments”

‘That Roscommon County Council takes immediate steps to hedge the organisation against spiralling energy costs by embarking on a program of significant investment in micro generation and energy conservation supplemented by availing of all accessible grant assistance and utilising every available and suitable corporate roof space to install solar panels and also implement other energy saving facilities enhancements in the interest of prudent resource management, leading by example and in accordance with our 2030 emission reduction commitments’

The Meetings Administrator read the following reply:

Roscommon County Council is committed to achieving the national targets to reduce carbon emissions by 51% by 2030, or an average 7% per annum over the decade and becoming a climate neutral economy by no later than 2050. Roscommon County Council are committed to work on climate issues where the focus is on decreasing the organisation’s carbon footprint. In 2020, the Council surpassed its 20% target, achieving a 38% improvement in energy efficiency. A concerted effort will be made throughout the organisation to continue that leadership role in terms of reducing energy use. Roscommon County Council is a member of the Midland Energy Agency, collaborating with four midland local authorities of Laois, Offaly, Westmeath and Longford to manage and reduce our energy consumption in accordance with national targets.

We are currently in the process of carrying out energy audits on a number of buildings with a view to identifying a pipeline of energy related upgrade projects that can be developed over the coming years. These retrofit projects will be developed in conjunction with advice from experts and part funded through SEAI’s pathfinder programme. The investment required by Roscommon County Council to meet our 2030 targets is significant.

Roscommon County Council are implementing the measures approved by the Cabinet, on 7 September 2022, to cut energy use across the public sector. Measures include setting temperatures to 19 degrees Celsius in buildings, turning off the heating in office buildings at least one to two hours before closing the buildings and ensuring that no lights other than security lights are on after 8:00pm.

Roscommon County Council has signed up to a number of energy campaigns including ‘Optimising Energy at Work’, ‘Reduce Your Use’ and ‘Engaging People Accelerator Course’, which are run by the OPW and SEAI. They form a key part of the approach under the National Energy Security Framework. The campaigns empower organisations to reduce their energy use and encourages long-term sustainable behaviour. Energy efficiency advice is available from experts at the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland. Our approach will be practical and evidence-based, detailing the actions that can save the most money and energy.

The Office of Government Procurement (OGP) plays a key role in helping the State to save money when buying goods and services. Roscommon County Council are part of the OGP frameworks for energy purchasing which includes gas and electricity.

Cllr Kilduff said he was disappointed with the reply received. He said there was a need for investment in solar panels on local authority buildings, claiming such investment would take pressure off the national grid.

The Members welcomed the motion and supported it and discussed as follows:

·        The Government should be looking at installing solar panels in primary and secondary schools. The swimming pool, where solar panels had been erected, reducing energy bills.

·        How much of the local authority’s housing stock had been retrofitted?

·        Concern expressed at the rate of conversation of local street lighting to new LED lighting, claiming only 25% to 30% of all street lights had been converted?

·        All lights should be converted by the end of 2023 instead of 2024.

It was PROPOSED by Cllr. Fitzmaurice

SECONDED by Cllr. Shanagher

That the solar panel exemption of 50 square metres for industrial buildings be changed.

Director of Services Caitlin Conneely confirmed solar panels were already in place on the local Fire Station and Swimming Pool. She said 53% of local public lighting was LED lighting, and the project to convert public lighting was being led by Mayo County Council, which was subject to a procurement process, which Ms. Conneely said she would inform members in due course.

Concluding the debate, Cllr Kilduff said energy resources were finite and said an emergency response needed to be called, like in the case of the Covid-19 pandemic. He said strategic infrastructure needed to be built in the national interest.