Businesses can save under energy upgrade scheme
12.03.2010
A new scheme aimed at energy upgrading virtually every building in Ireland over the next decade has the potential to create thousands of jobs and save businesses and households across Ireland money, its creator has said.
The Pay As You Save (PAYS) scheme, which is scheduled for rollout by the Government before the end of 2010, allows cash-strapped homeowners and businesses to pay for energy-saving measures through fixed repayments on their energy bills over several years.
The scheme was honoured at the 2010 Green Awards in Dublin last night, with building magazine Construct Ireland editor Jeff Colley (pictured), who developed the financing model, receiving the Green Leader and Green Communications awards for his successful campaigning work on PAYS.
A major driver in economic recovery
“Save as You Pay can become a major driver in Ireland’s economic recovery,” Colley said.
He added that the energy upgrading of 100,000 homes per year will create thousands of jobs, reduce Ireland’s €6bn energy import bill, dramatically cut carbon emissions, and enable all Irish people to have comfortable, healthy homes.
“If ever there is an idea that's of its time, it is pay-as-you-save,” Colley said. “We have just been through a freezing winter, carbon tax is coming in, and hundreds of thousands of Irish people are stuck in badly built, draughty homes with no ability to pay for the upgrade work needed to make their home more comfortable, cheaper to run, and more valuable. PAYS is specifically designed to solve that problem, and will mean that people can add the cost of the upgrade to their energy bill over time, with the repayments offset against reduced energy costs.”
Ill-informed approach could spell disaster
However Colley, who has no commercial interest in PAYS, cautioned that an ill-informed approach could see the scheme falling well short of its potential.
He continued: “It is critical that the utilities give considered, independent advice, and that they do not contradict each other. If one utility says 'you should put in wall insulation' and another says 'don't do that - you should put in solar panels and heating controls,' it will create confusion and lack credibility.”
Interest in paying for upgrades through bills
Colley and Construct Ireland developed a campaign for PAYS last August and September through www.payscampaign.ie, and successfully lobbied for the inclusion of the scheme in the renewed programme for Government.
Energy minister Eamon Ryan announced in December that his department plans to test PAYS by this summer, before mandatory rollout by the end of 2010.
In August an Amárach/Construct Ireland survey found that 80pc of Irish homeowners would be interested in paying for energy upgrades through their utility bills.
Diageo wins overall Green Business Award
Construct Ireland was among 20 winners of the 2010 Green Awards last night, which recognise excellence and outstanding achievement by organisations and individuals in tackling climate change and addressing environmental issues.
Diageo won the overall Green Business Award for its significant achievement in reducing water consumption by half; for decreasing waste sent to landfill by two thirds by putting in place an advanced waste management and waste prevention programme; and reducing its overall carbon footprint by nearly three quarters.
Business & Leadership is hosting a briefing on The Green Economy this May. Learn more about this event.