UP IN SMOKE! ENERGY COSTS BURNING €470 MILLION A YEAR HOLE IN THE KERRY ECONOMY

A recent study commissioned by Transition Kerry indicates that energy costs for business and private residential sectors may be as much as €470 million annually in Kerry, and this money is largely being lost to the local economy. The study, part-funded by NEKD and Kerry County Council, suggests that over-dependence on fossil fuels for heating and transport, and high levels of expenditure and increasing costs relating to energy in the county are placing considerable strain on the local economy and make Co. Kerry less competitive than other regions. Heating oil costs have more than doubled since 2008, and the incidence of fuel poverty among families around the county is on the increase.

The most critical issue is the fact that most fuels used in Kerry are imported, and as a result, the bulk of this €470 million is being siphoned out of the county, and removed from the local economy to detriment of local business and employment prospects. Transition Kerry’s Energy Committee Chairman Ciaran Nugent said ‘Energy costs are sucking the lifeblood out of our local economy, and reducing competitiveness and opportunities for sustainable development and employment in Co. Kerry. We need to fight this. Both businesses and ordinary citizens need to work together to reduce the amount of energy they use, and to ensure that a greater proportion of the money currently being spent on energy is retained in the local economy to support local employment.

To highlight the issues involved and towards developing solutions at local level, Transition Kerry are inviting all interested persons and organisations to a public information Seminar, in association with Tralee Chamber Alliance on Wednesday, March 27th, at the Carlton Hotel, beginning at 8pm. Everybody will be welcome to discuss topics such as:

  • The impact of energy costs on business and competitiveness in Kerry
  • Energy impacts on the local economy in Kerry
  • Rising energy costs as a barrier to economic recovery in Kerry
  • Collaborative energy management solutions for business and residential sectors
  • Innovation in Energy Management
  • How Tralee is leading the pack What can individual businesses and householders do?

Further Queries contact Ciaran Nugent – 083 431 2707