In what will be the first project of its kind in Ireland, the local authority has drawn up plans to make use of the downstream flowing water of the River Finn to power a number of 30-watt LED lights.

While the new technology will initially be introduced on foot bridges over the river, it is expected that, should the project prove successful, similar initiatives will be rolled out across the county.

Speaking to the Irish Times, Donegal County Council’s energy development officer Toni Needham revealed that a contractor has already been signed up to install the region’s first ‘hydro-lights’.

“I think this will be the first in Ireland and it will be interesting to see how it works,” she stated.

At the same time, the Irish government is working with the UK on the Irish Scottish Links Energy Study, which proposes the construction of a new energy network built beneath the sea to enable the countries to share green power.

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