DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
29 May 2013
O’Dowd officially launches innovative energy saving scheme at Dungannon Integrated College
Education Minister, John O’Dowd, today officially launched a new energy saving scheme during a visit to Dungannon Integrated College and Greiner Packaging Plant.
‘Project SCool’ is an innovative scheme which uses the waste produced by Greiner Packaging to provide free heating to the nearby college.
Speaking during the visit, the Minister said: “I welcome the opportunity to be here today to officially open this hugely innovative scheme which provides Dungannon Integrated College with free heating. My Department is responsible for promoting the efficient use of energy across the education sector and I am therefore pleased that I could provide funding of £58,000 to help deliver this scheme. ‘Project SCool’ has the potential to save the college approximately £40,000 per annum for the life of the school as well as significantly reducing the carbon footprint by at least 200 tonnes per year.”
The Minister continued by stating the Department of Education’s responsibilities within the Executive’s Sustainable Development Implementation Plan. He said: “My Department is responsible for incorporating sustainable development in the curriculum and also for providing modern, sustainable accommodation for educational establishments. Due to the novel nature of the scheme, ‘Project SCool’ can serve as an educational tool for students who are interested in engineering and environmental sciences and I believe this scheme will assist the staff of the college as they seek to promote sustainable thinking with current and future pupils.”
The Minister added: “With the rising cost of energy, it is imperative that renewable alternatives are sought and fully utilised whenever possible. ‘Project SCool’ is a practical example of innovative thinking and investment that will also lead to shared financial and environmental benefits for both Dungannon Integrated College and Greiner Packaging. I wish everyone continued success for the future.”
Enterprise Minister, Arlene Foster, said: “Greiner is an innovative company which has invested repeatedly in R&D with support from Invest Northern Ireland and the EU to develop advanced new products and processes. ‘Project SCool’ is an example of this commitment to innovation. Not only is Greiner meeting its own energy efficiency needs and reducing its carbon footprint, but Dungannon Integrated College is benefiting from a highly efficient heat supply that has reduced the school’s operating overheads. I welcome this partnership between local industry and the community, and the clear benefits that will continue to be delivered to all.”
Notes to editors:
1. Greiner Packaging Limited in the North of Ireland developed from the company Wilsanco Plastics has been integrated in the network of Greiner Packaging International since 2006. Greiner Packaging International is one of the leading companies in the European packaging industry. In 2012, the company achieved annual sales of EUR 472.9 million or more than one third of the total Greiner Group sales. Greiner Packaging International has a workforce of 3,236 employees at 34 sites.
2. The Department of Education has launched a new ‘Education Works’ advertising campaign. The campaign encourages families to play, talk, read and count with their child and to ‘Get Involved Because Education Works’. Watch out for the ads on television, radio and outdoor locations. The campaign highlights the vital role families can play in helping children do well at school and improve their life chances. Visit http://www.nidirect.gov.uk/education-works for more information.
Watch the TV ad on the Department’s YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/thedeptofeducation
3. See photos from the Department of Education in our collection at http://www.flickr.com/niexecutive
4. Media enquiries to the Department of Education’s Communications Team on Tel: 028 9127 9207. Out of office hours contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699715440 and your call will be returned.
