The Invest NI Energy Show has demonstrated how local companies have cut energy costs and saved over £30 million through participation in the Action Energy Programme and partnership with the Carbon Trust.

Leslie Morrison, Invest NI chief executive, revealed the potential energy savings at the opening of the Energy Show in Belfast. The event attracted almost 50 exhibitors across a broad range of energy conservation technologies.

Mr Morrison said that energy consultants had pinpointed savings of around £30 million during 800 site surveys of Northern Ireland companies. He said: “If replicated across all of Northern Ireland’s businesses, total energy savings could amount to £75 million and impact positively on costs. This is an important consideration at this time, when industry is anxious about increasing operating costs, for example from insurance premiums and national insurance.

“This approach in Northern Ireland is innovative and is not currently being practiced in other UK regions. Under this programme, consultants stay with a business until they have not only spotted substantial savings but developed an action plan, which when implemented will realize the savings.”

Mr Morrison singled out Michelin in Ballymena as a prime example of the programme’s benefits. He said: “In June 2003, Michelin entered into a partnership agreement with Invest NI and the Carbon Trust. Action Energy consultants provided free on site advice on compressed air lighting, boiler management and motors and drives. As a direct result, Michelin implemented a series of measures that included new lighting, improved pipe lagging, improved controls on the air compressors and new steam traps.”

Mr Morrison continued: “In the first year of partnership, the company has achieved energy savings worth around £123,000 and, more importantly, the investment in each of these projects looks likely to be recovered in less than two years.”

However, he said government policy for creating a low carbon economy would require a doubling of the present rate of energy efficiency improvement.

"Businesses are helped to cut energy costs by a number of initiatives including: the Climate Change Levy, Climate Change Agreements and Energy Efficiency Best practice and the adherence to statutory legislation such as IPPC or the Building Regulations,” he said.

Mr Morrison concluded that the rewards – substantial savings and increased profits – were considerable and there were also substantial new business opportunities arising from the development of new energy saving products.

(KMcA)