€50 million will be spent on retrofitting schools this year, the Government has announced. 

Last year, an Oireachtas report estimated 23% of Ireland’s carbon emissions came from heating and lighting buildings. 

The Government hopes to reduce emissions 51% by 2030 and, for that to happen, large numbers of buildings will need to be retrofitted to make them more energy efficient. 

Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast, Minister of State Ossian Smyth said schools have had “really large electricity bills” in recent years and anything that reduces them is a “really positive thing to do”. 

“We have a big programme this year, €50 million to upgrade schools to make them warmer and cut their bills,” he said. 

So far, 53 schools have been retrofitted and a further 14 have been upgraded. 

The work will see air tightness improvements, new windows fitted and wall and roof insulation added. 

“This is just one programme,” Minister Smyth said. 

“We’ve a lot of different programmes for schools. 

“So, for example, this year, every school in the country will be offered free solar panels - completely free, with free installation, the whole system.” 

Empty School Classroom. Image: MBI / Alamy Stock Photo

By the end of 2023, some 900 schools had applied for solar panels and Minister Smyth said it would save principals a significant amount of money in the years ahead. 

“A portion of their electricity will be free - they won’t have to pay for it,” he said. 

“If they’re not at school, the electricity is being sold back to the grid because, of course, in the summer, in the afternoon, kids may not be there. 

“So, it’s a source of income for the schools and it’s combined with an education programme for children. 

“So, when we put in the solar panels, there’s a course to teach them about what’s happening.” 

Home retrofitting

In 2022, 42% of Ireland’s electricity was generated from renewable sources and Minister Smyth said there is a growing interest from people who want to power their homes from solar energy. 

“SEAI is the website to go to to check how you can do that and people are doing it,” he said. 

“Not just to cut their bills or for the environment, the major advantage is just comfort in the home. 

“When you go to someone’s house that’s been upgraded and you see how warm it is and how nice it is… It just makes it a better quality of life.” 

The Government offers a number of grants to people who retrofit their homes.

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Main image: A man installing a rooftop solar panel. Image: Radharc Images / Alamy