Cross-border initiative for green energy launched

The government has announced a cross-border drive to promote the use of greener energy solutions as part of EU-wide commitments to renewable energy.

The trade department and the Republic's Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources will work together to launch a Renewable Energy/Energy Efficiency Measure – supported under the EU INTERREG IIIA Programme.

The overall objective of the measure is to stimulate the wider use of renewable energy/energy efficiency technologies at a local level within the INTERREG region. The objective will be achieved through granting-aiding proposals that meet the criteria outlined for the Measure and which also offer best practise solutions to the specific energy problems of the region. In addition, projects must involve partners on both sides of the border.

The overall value of the measure over the lifetime of the Programme (2003 –2008) is €6.8 million (£4.5 million). The INTERREG IIIA Programme, one of the European Union’s Community Initiatives, targets all disadvantaged border areas throughout the EU and tackles the social and economic disadvantage arising from the existence of a border. The programme will be responsible for allocating €179 million to various measures over the next few years.

The renewable energy/Energy Efficiency Measure is aimed at small to medium sized businesses (SMEs), community groups, community businesses, farmers, the tourism sector, public and voluntary organisations, and individuals. The measure will support innovative renewable energy/energy efficiency projects which demonstrate best practice and have good potential for replication.

The bulk of the activities will be implemented through a number of calls for proposals where interested parties will be invited to submit their proposals to the departments who will act as joint implementing bodies. The first call for proposals will open today and run until Tuesday May 6.

The Implementing Bodies have published a leaflet which provides further details of the measure through a questions and answers format.

The leaflet can be obtained online from www.dcmnr.ie.uk or in hard copy format by contacting either department.

(GMcG)