Sligo County Council were delighted to be the recipient of an OPW Energy Progress Award this week (5th December).
Energy Progress Award
Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council Cllr Gerard Mullaney & David Jeffers, Head of Energy OPW
This award recognises that Sligo County Council have passed a 30% energy reduction threshold as part of the Optimising Power @ Work programme.
The Council have been participating in the OPW’s Optimising Power @ Work energy efficiency awareness campaign since 2017 with the focus being on improving energy efficiency at County Hall. Due to the participation of staff and the implementation of improvement works which were recommended by the scheme, very significant energy savings have been achieved. The most recent monthly report from October 2023 shows that compared to when the Council joined the Scheme, they have reduced the amount of electricity used in County Hall by 30%, and heating oil consumption has been reduced by 37%. These figures demonstrate Sligo County Council’s commitment to improving energy efficiency & reducing carbon emissions.
Speaking in the Council Chamber before presenting the Energy Progress award David Jeffers, Head of Energy Conservation with the OPW said that
“The OPW has developed and delivered a state-wide staff energy conservation programme, since 2008. The goals of Optimising Power @ Work are to identify and eliminate energy waste. This is achieved through intensive engagement with staff to encourage behavioural change with regard to energy usage and by optimising building controls”.
Mr. Jeffers commended Sligo County Council in implementing initiatives to achieve their energy reduction targets. The Council’s Energy Team consisting of Pete Murtagh, John O’Hara, David Higgins & Tony Parkinson were singled out for praise for their work in reducing electricity and oil usage.
Accepting the award on behalf of the Council, an Cathaoirleach Cllr Gerard Mullaney thanked
“Kieran Wall from Aramark, the service provider for the OPW for his invaluable advice which as a result has helped us identify a number of key areas where energy was being wasted, enabling savings to be made. This has happened during a time when we have more staff working in County Hall than ever before. I’d like to commend the Assets & Facilities team, as well as the building caretaker Paddy Gilmartin, for their role in these improvements. But there is room for further improvement, and with the continued support from the OPW and Aramark, and the ongoing efforts of staff here and in other Sligo Co. Co. buildings, we will continue to become more efficient, reduce our emissions, and play our part in responding to the challenges of a changing climate” .
