A new €3 million pilot programme has been launched to improve energy efficiency and support decarbonisation in colleges and universities across Ireland.

The programme targets the higher education sector to introduce a number of innovative initiatives, including deep retrofitting of older or low energy efficiency buildings to bring them to at least B2 Building Energy Rating, viable renewable technologies, decarbonisation of heating systems and projects that delivery maximum energy reduction and carbon savings.

Minister for Education and Skills, Joe McHugh TD said: "The aim of this green fund is to support colleges and universities on the road to improved energy efficiency and more renewable technologies, recognising the excellent work already being done in the sector.

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"And the Government will be able to use the successful projects to test and demonstrate approaches to achieving the targets of the Climate Action Plan.

"The fund also builds on the collaborative work that is ongoing to retrofit 33 schools and the lessons that we are learning from that programme as we plan for a major school retrofit programme from 2022."

Higher education institutions will be invited to apply for funding for projects to be carried out in 2020 and 2021 under the Energy Efficiency and Decarbonisation Pathfinder Programme.

Projects being assessed for the €3m pathfinder programme will be measured against national targets, including targets to reduce emissions and improve energy efficiencies in the public sector by 2030.

Minister for Communications, Climate Action and the Environment, Richard Bruton TD added: "Our education institutions are pillars of their community. It is crucial they take the lead and implement the changes that are being demanded by their students. This fund will allow us to pilot approaches and see what works best but it must be the start of more radical reforms. The Climate Action Plan target of 50% efficiency by 2030 must now be regarded as an absolute minimum requirement as we move towards ambition."

The programme is co-funded by the Department of Education and Skills and Department of Communications, Climate Action & Environment (DCCAE) under Project Ireland 2040, and administered through the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and Higher Education Authority (HEA).

(CM/JG)