Council to save €80,000 a year by choosing gas

WATERFORD County Council is going green and its about to become the envy of its sister authorities nationwide as it significantly cuts its costs.

The council has signed a contract with Bord Gais Energy Supply for the supply of electricity to its 270 electrical installations throughout the county. The contract, which is valued at over €1 million, was awarded to Bord Gais following a public tender process.

The new contract which was signed on behalf of the council by county mayor Cllr Mary Greene will run until December 31, 2007, with a possible extension for a further 12 months.

By switching to Bord Gais the council will save approximately €80,000 on its annual electricity bill for offices, libraries, pumphouses and fire stations.

Mayor Mary Greene said it’s going to benefit everyone, while also saving money.

“The powering of Waterford County Council electricity needs by green energy is a great step forward. Waterford County Council is supportive of the development of renewable and sustainable energy technologies within Waterford.

“Sustainable energy technology needs to be embraced not just by the Local Authority, but by all residents of Waterford,” the mayor added.

An additional benefit of changing supplier to Bord Gais is that 260 of Waterford County Council’s general purpose electricity accounts will be powered by green energy, generated from renewable energy sources.

Director of services and county engineer John O’Flynn said that it was imperative for Waterford County Council to take advantage of the deregulated electricity market in order to purchase electricity at the cheapest rate possible.

“The cost burden of recently announced increases of 19.7% in electricity tariff by the Commission for Energy Regulation will be partially offset by switching to Bord Gais.

“The remaining 10 large scale Waterford County Council electricity accounts will be powered by brown energy from Bord Gais/ Synergen electricity generation plant,” he said.

The tendering of Waterford County Council electricity accounts was co-ordinated by the Council’s Water Services Department and Waterford Energy Bureau, Tramore.