Wind energy cuts Cork school’s bill

A CORK school has found the answer to its soaring energy costs blowing in the wind.

The 205-pupils of Scoil an Chroí Ró Naofa primary school in Castletownbere in West Cork have used a wind turbine to slash their electricity bill.

The six-metre high 1kW turbine was installed on the school grounds and connected to the building’s electrical system at Easter.

It has already cut €130 off the school’s bi-monthly electricity bill.

Principal Paul Stevens said it is hoped the device will save the equivalent cost of a full month of electricity over a year.

The energy initiative was honoured yesterday as the school’s second green flag which was hoisted high above the school yard.

Mr Stephens praisedeveryone who was involved in the project, which was steered by a committee which includes children from second to fifth class, helped by staff member Niamh Gonnelly.

“It was a relatively straightforward process,” Mr Stevens said. “We got the mast from Bandon-based windturbines.ie and they did all the installation.

“It cost in the region of €4,000, which we raised through a raffle.

“The mast does not need planning permission because it is below a certain height. And it requires little or no maintenance.

“We have had a lot of enquiries from other schools about the initiative too.”

As well as harnessing the wind, the pupils installed foil behind the radiators, fitted eco-switches to their computers, and ran a “switch-it-off” campaign.

Mr Stevens said the project has also helped spread awareness about energy saving initiatives in the wider community.

Meanwhile, as part of its effort to secure a third green flag next year, the school is now fundraising to install a solar-powered rain water collection system on the roof that will harvest water for use in toilets.