With energy costs one of the most talked about topics for businesses lately, we hosted a workshop in the D Hotel on November 25th focusing on Cost Saving and Energy Efficiency strategies.
Many thanks to our speakers for John Kane (Energy and Technical Solutions), Eugene Conlon (The Energy Team, Dunleer), Colin Neill MBE from Hospitality Ulster, Niamh Dennehy and Grainne Mc Keown from Louth Local Enterprise Office.
In attendance were local business from all sectors, but especially the hospitality sector, who are facing several difficult obstacles from energy to staffing and availability. Those in attendance learned some practical ways in which they can begin to manage their energy bills from the expert speakers.
Some of the key take aways; a simple 5 step process for a company when looking at reducing energy consumption.
1) Senior management buy-in is essential to make change happen
2) Gather data and know where your usage is and continually monitor this on a weekly/ monthly basis
3) Optimise what you currently have in store with what you have available.
4) Investigate capital expenditure and grants available to assist in reducing reliance on the grid in the medium to long term as we continue to transition and potentially offset some of your usage through installing batteries.
5) Review on a six monthly basis and refine.
Businesses were also encouraged to investigate and utilise grants now from Local Enterprise Office Louth and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI).
Use less, use clean and innovate were possible was the message of the day.
Thank you to the staff and management at The D Hotel for accommodating us and to each of our experts for taking the time to travel and speak to us.
You can download the PDF of John Kanes' presentation here.
