Technology is the answer!

11 August 2006

Technology is the answer!

Technology is a key solution for reducing energy costs in energy intensive businesses and government grants are making it easier for businesses to access
these technologies said Heather Staley, Chief Executive of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA).

EECA's Energy Intensive Businesses programme has cash grants available for projects which demonstrate technologies that have already proven to increase energy efficiency, but are not yet common place.

Ms Staley says the upfront costs of energy saving technologies can be expensive, even though the projects have rates of return that are well above the cost of capital. EECA's programme provides additional funding to make the decisions to invest easier.

Six grants have been issued to date, to energy intensive businesses prepared to lead in their industry by implementing new technologies.

One of the grant recipients, Northern Trawling Company Ltd, will replace standard trawling equipment with new light-weight, low drag trawl gear that will result in their trawlers operating with greater fuel efficiency.

The six grant recipients collectively will reduce their CO2 emissions by an estimated 2,300 tonnes a year, the equivalent to taking 660 cars off the road each year.

The Energy Intensive Businesses programme focuses on reducing CO2 emissions by improving energy efficiency. Energy intensity is the amount of energy used in producing a given level of output or activity. The technologies the programme supports are designed to reduce the amount of energy an organisation uses in its normal operation.

'One of EECA's key objectives is to support the uptake of energy efficient initiatives by helping businesses get more from their energy dollar', says Ms Staley.

Recipients of the grants will share their findings through case studies with other industry participants.

The Energy Intensive Businesses programme targets businesses from the following sectors: wood processing, food and beverage processing, basic metals, heavy transport fleets, non-metallic products, glasshouse crops, fishing fleet operation, irrigated dairying and irrigated arable crops.

EECA welcomes applications for funding.

ENDS

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