30 companies from Clare and Limerick were presented with Energy Management Certificates by the minister for communications, energy and natural resources Eamon Ryan.

The small and medium sized enterprises received the certificates at a ceremony in Ennis last night (16 April).

Each of the firms successfully completed the Energy Management Certification scheme, which is organised by the Limerick Clare Energy Agency (LCEA).

The main aim of the scheme is to establish a business network to help companies to identify the energy they need, what kind of energy they are using and how efficiently they are using it.

Companies taking part also learn whether their local and global competitors are more efficient at using energy to create work and wealth, and whether they can use indigenous energy resources to reduce their dependence on imported fossil fuels.

The pilot project, which is free of charge to participating companies, is being administered by the LCEA, in association with the National Standards Authority of Ireland, Clare Local Development Company and Shannon Development.

LCEA manager, Pat Stephens, said: “Small and medium sized businesses throughout Clare and Limerick risk going under if they fail to control their energy bills and establish an energy efficient manner of conducting business.

“Companies have come to recognise that in an open economy such as Ireland’s every company is competing with similar enterprises around the world for business.

“Those enterprises that choose to ignore the importance of energy efficiency, security of energy supply and CO2 emissions are surrendering control of their business to energy companies in the Middle East and Russia, similar companies in China are not making the same choices.”

Luke Walsh

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