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The Oireachtas Sub Committee on Job Creation through use
of Renewable Energy Resources has invited proposals from County
Councils on the feasibility of locating renewable energy projects
in their local authority areas.
The renewable energy projects will follow the example of
the town of Gussing in Austria, where a renewable energy project
has transformed the local economy.
In Gussing, 50 new companies have been established since
the 1990s, employing more than 1,000 people through the establishment
and continual expansion of an alternative system of producing
energy from sustainable resources - grown, garnered and utilised
in the local area - and using this energy to supply electricity
and heat to business, industry and private homes in the same
area.
Chairman of the Oireachtas Sub-Committee, Willie Penrose
TD, said - "We should observe what is happening in other countries
and seek to use the knowledge gained to create new jobs and
employment opportunities in Ireland, which will be good for
the economy and the environment.
"Renewable energy projects have the potential to create thousands
of jobs throughout the country. Renewable energy projects
provide opportunities at every stage of development - from
initial research through to manufacturing, construction, operation
and maintenance. In the US, Barack Obama plans to invest $150
billion over 10 years in a 'clean energy' economy that
will help the private sector create five million new green
jobs. There is no reason why a similar approach cannot be
adopted here."
Following a fact-finding trip to view the Gussing energy
project, the Joint Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment
established the Sub-Committee on Job Creation through use
of Renewable Energy Resources in October 2008. It aims to
identify locations in Ireland for establishing projects similar
to the Gussing project.
At least one of these locations will be in Connacht/Donegal,
one in Leinster/Cavan/Monaghan and one in Munster. It aims
to identify which of these locations would be suitable for
the establishment of a Solarteur School. Solarteur Schools
provide training in renewable energy technologies to students
and skilled workers in the building, engineering and other
sectors.
The Sub-Committee is now inviting proposals from local authorities
on the feasibility of locating a project of this nature -
including the establishment of a Solarteur School - in their
local authority area. While the Sub-Committee is not offering
to fund the projects, it will use its office to convince the
Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to promote the
development of these job-creation projects at the most suitable
locations.
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