OREANDA-NEWS. SSE, Ireland's fastest growing energy utility, has given a massive GBP 10,000-plus power boost to Scoil Mhuire National School Horeswood that will dramatically improve education technology and energy efficiency at the Campile, Co. Wexford, school.

SSE, which operates the existing power plant at Great Island and is now currently constructing a new 461MW clean gas power plant at the same location, is helping to transform Scoil Mhuire NS Horeswood with all the very latest in education and energy efficient technology.

The company has invested around GBP 7,000 on the installation of new interactive whiteboards and projectors which will significantly enhance classroom instruction and learning for teachers and pupils alike, as well as a further GBP 4,000 on the installation of new energy management system which will ultimately help the school reduce its energy use costs.

This intelligent energy management system, installed by SSE Airtricity Energy Services, is a sophisticated and dynamic monitoring system that helps teachers and school management better understand where and how power is being consumed in the school building. The system is made up of sub-meters that interface with powerful software to build up a picture of energy consumption minute-by-minute, and provides the energy-use information school management needs so that simple adjustments can be made to help reduce energy use costs.

Margaret Rossister, Principal of Scoil Mhuire NS Horeswood, commented:

“The commitment SSE has shown to the local community and to the school has been fantastic. In addition to the modern new whiteboards and projects SSE has put in place a new energy management system that will help to save the school money, meaning we can spend more in other areas. The new equipment is just what we needed, and you can really see the difference it makes in the classroom. It is definitely money well spent.”

This overall GBP 10,000-plus power boost by SSE to Scoil Mhuire NS Horeswood is being made as part of the company's ongoing support for the communities closest to its Great Island power plant and the new 461MW Combined Cycle Gas Turbine (CCGT) plant currently under construction.

This contribution to Scoil Mhuire NS is in addition to the GBP 25,000 that SSE is paying annually to Wexford County Council during the period of construction of the CCGT for distribution by a local subcommittee to community projects in Great Island and Campile. To date SSE has contributed a total of GBP 75,000 into local projects beside its major construction project.

Since the construction of SSE's new clean gas plant at Great Island began, the company has placed a large emphasis on supporting nearby communities and stimulating the local economy. There are roughly 600 workers on site daily, around 70% of whom live locally in Wexford and surrounding counties. In addition to creating local jobs, SSE's indirect investment is making an important contribution to local businesses and services providers such as hotels, B&Bs, restaurants and shops

SSE's Great Island CCGT Project Manager, Peter Gavican said:

“We are delighted at SSE to be able to invest in school Scoil Mhuire Horeswood. Through our local community support we have installed interactive whiteboard technology as well as a building energy management system that will benefit pupils and teachers at Scoil Mhuire for many years to come.

“SSE is proud of its contribution to the local community in Great Island and Co. Wexford. Through the construction and operation of our new gas fired power plant at Great Island, we are giving a real boost to the local economy in terms of investment and jobs as well as community support. In the longer term the new power plant will not only provide cleaner energy for half a million Irish homes it will also enable the delivery of an industrial grade gas pipeline to Co. Wexford which will significantly improve the attractiveness of the region for investment by larger manufacturers and multinationals.”