09 April 2003

North Belfast school goes 'green'

Pupils in north Belfast are set to attend the most environmentally friendly school in Northern Ireland thanks to a range of measures aimed at using 'green' measures to power their class rooms.

Cavehill Primary School, which is being rebuilt, will use heavy insulation to conserve energy, solar panels to produce electricity and collected rainwater from the roof will be used in the toilet block.

If planning permission is granted, the school will also use wind turbines in the grounds and could be able to sell surplus electricity during the summer months.

UUP MLA for North Antrim, the Rev. Robert Coulter said he was impressed by the school's decision in taking a route we should all be following.

He added: "The school is fitting solar heating and is to use rain water to augment its toilet facilities.

"This emphasis on renewable energy and resources will be vital in the future.

“Oil is a diminishing natural resource. Experts vary in their estimates but most agree that the world’s oil will run out sometime between 2014 and 2080. That is a sobering thought and we must begin the drive to seek out alternative, renewable “green” eco-friendly power sources now."

The Belfast Education Board has raised extra money to pay for the technology, however money saved on energy will be spent on education in the school.

(MB)