A €28m Schools Energy Retrofit Pathfinder programme that will demonstrate the approach to deep retrofit in the schools’ sector, testing energy efficiency solutions and renewable heat technology was announced in early January.
This government-funded energy retrofit pathfinder programme will target energy use and carbon dioxide emission reduction by 51%, testing deep retrofit and low carbon heating solutions. The 2022 programme will see 5 schools benefiting from a selection of energy efficiency works.
The pathfinder programme has retrofitted 41 schools across Ireland to date with work on an additional 9 schools added in 2021 underway. 2022 will see six additional schools undergoing deep retrofit to a Building Energy Rating (BER) of B with renewable heating systems.
Each school undergoes a comprehensive assessment to ensure that the measures are suitable for that school and will deliver value to both the school and learnings for the national retrofit programme.
The schools for 2022 present a variety of challenges, including building age, archetype and retrofit requirements.
CEO of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, William Walsh said:
“SEAI continues to support schools with energy efficiency through student workshops, resources (more than 50,000 students per annum) and energy management (1000 schools to date). The pathfinder programme is providing a template for large scale retrofit of all schools in Ireland, which will be required to help Ireland meet its ambitious national targets.”
