School switches to woodchip heating

A SCHOOL in Donegal town is the first in the country to use woodchip for heating, replacing its oil-fired system.

Agriculture Minister Mary Coughlan switched on the renewable energy system at the 800-student Abbey Vocational School, which will use woodchip from local forests to meet its entire heating needs.

The new system was installed at no cost to the school. Funding was provided by Imperative Energy and Donegal Local Development Company, under the LEADER programme.