Irish Water redesigns and retrofits lighting systems at a number of large treatment plants resulting in a carbon emissions saving of 240 tonnes every year

Energy efficiency is an integral part of Irish Water’s business as usual activities. We are already implementing energy efficient design for all projects and we are implementing energy efficiency measures into the operation of our treatment plants where possible. The energy efficiency lighting project is one such initiative.

Speaking about the size and scale of the project, Stephen Seymour, Irish Water said: “In total, almost 1,400 energy efficient light fittings have been installed reducing energy consumption by more than half a GWh per year. This is equivalent to the electricity required to power 131 houses a year and represents a carbon emissions reduction of 240 tonnes per year. There are significant operational benefits also. The reduction of energy consumption will reduce operational costs, while the LED fittings have a lifetime of 100,000 operating hours and it is estimated that these will continue to provide energy savings for two decades.”

Treating and safeguarding drinking water and treating and returning wastewater to the sea are very energy intensive activities. Irish Water accounts for 21% of public sector electricity consumption and is one of the largest consumers of electricity in the public sector. Irish Water is committed to improving energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions and meeting a 33% energy efficiency target by 2020.

Commenting on the completion of this project Charlie Coakley, Irish Water Sustainability Lead, said: “By the end of 2019, we achieved over a 30% improvement in our energy efficiency performance with a corresponding saving of over 90,000 tonnes of carbon. We are on track to meet our target of 33% energy efficiency improvement, putting us in a strong position to meet our new target of 50% by 2030. The delivery of energy efficiency projects such as this lighting project is vital to helping us achieve our targets.”