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2019 Government’s Renewable Scheme Will EasyJet Bids To Double Hotel

4th, Meet Climate Commitments Says Bruton
December Room Sales

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EXAMINER

IRISH A Government scheme to achieve 70% renewable elec-

tricity by 2030 will meet Ireland’s future climate commit-
ments, it has been claimed.
Environment Minister Richard Bruton unveiled details of
the first Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) auc-
tion, which is to open next year.
The scheme is part of the Government’s Climate Action
Plan which Mr Bruton said will give Irish people a cleaner,
safer and more sustainable future.
The move to 70% renewable electricity by 2030 is a key
part of the plan. asyJet is aiming to customers, there’s 19.5 mil- like traditional package holi-
Mr Bruton said: “Ireland is currently 86% reliant on fossil double the number of lion opportunities for passen- days, as customers will not
fuel. We must radically reduce this dependence and make Epassengers who book gers that we can sell our holi- board easyJet coaches for
the transition to cleaner, more renewable energy. accommodation with their days to.” their transfers or stay in
“We are exiting from peat and coal to generate electricity flights. EasyJet Holidays said the easyJet branded hotels, and
and moving to clean, renewable sources of power, like wind The company has number of flights operated by there will be no reps in
and solar. relaunched its package holi- the airline means it will have resorts.
“The Renewable Energy Support Scheme is a flagship day business, pledging to better peak-time holiday “It will feel very independ-
Government policy designed to deliver on our commit- offer industry-leading flexibil- availability than other holiday ent in terms of how they are
ments to decarbonise our electricity grid, harness our natu- ity, ease of booking and hotel firms. building that holiday and how
ral resources and bring renewable energy into the heart of range. Customers can choose that holiday is delivered,” he
our communities.” Just half a million of the 20 from 5,000 hotels handpicked said.
Mr Bruton said that installed wind capacity has grown by million people who fly with by the company across more Mr Wilson added: “We
50% since 2015. easyJet for a holiday each year than 100 destinations. know customers want flexi-
The auction could see capacity grow by 30% in the next currently book their accom- Mr Wilson said the firm bility on when and how they
three years, with solar and community participation. modation through the airline. has been “inundated with holiday.
According to the Environment Minister, this is the equiv- The easyJet Holidays busi- hoteliers” asking if they can “We know they want to be
alent of powering up to 640,000 homes every day. ness – launched on Thursday work together following the able to easily pick a hotel to
The RESS is an auction-based scheme which invites – is aiming to reach one mil- collapse of Thomas Cook. suit their needs and we know
renewable electricity projects to bid for capacity and receive lion customers in 2020. He claimed easyJet they want a hassle-free book-
a guaranteed price for the electricity they generate. The airline has more than Holidays trips will not feel ing process.” C
The Government has agreed the proposed elements of 330 aircraft flying up to 670
the scheme, which are subject to state aid approval. routes a day to beach and city Number Of Electric Cars Registered So Far
The scheme will be open to a range of technologies that destinations. In 2019 Almost Triple That Of 2018 Figure
will broaden the renewable energy mix and enhance securi- EasyJet Holidays chief
ty of supply while the Government has approved the inclu- executive Garry Wilson told The Society of
sion of a solar category. the PA news agency that the the Irish Motor
The Government has approved the inclusion of a com- scale of the airline means the Industry (SIMI)
munity category within the auction, which include schools “opportunities are endless” have revealed that
and sports clubs. for selling accommodation. new car registra-
Every project developer will be obligated to contribute to He said: “We really think tions for November
a community benefit fund at a rate of €2 per mega watt hour we can come in and we can are up 19.2% (769)
every year. disrupt the market in holidays when compared
This will generate a minimum amount of up to €6m for in the same way that we dis- with November
communities living in close proximity to renewable projects rupted the market for flights 2018 (645).
each year. all those years ago, and really The figures also show new car registrations year to date are
The RESS will also mandate that Irish citizens or commu- take that innovative, pioneer- down 7% (116,888) on the same period last year (125,529).
nities will have access to investment opportunities in renew- ing spirit of easyJet for the New Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) registrations are up
able energy projects, prioritizing those citizens that live in holidays market. 50.4% (856) on November 2018 (569), however registrations year
close proximity to the projects. “The opportunity is huge to date are down 0.2% (25,179).
Mr Bruton added: “I am keen that communities where for us. At the moment we New Heavy Commercial Vehicles (HGV) increased 51.3%
renewable energy projects are being built are included in the have got 20 million cus- (121) in comparison to November 2018 (80) and year to date are
project’s development. tomers (each year) who fly on up 2.6% (2,603).
“The Government have agreed to make this a strong ele- an easyJet flight having Imported Used Cars for November saw an increase of 14.7%
ment of the scheme. bought a holiday and only (10,011) on the same month last year (8,729). Year to date
“I am pleased to confirm that work on the establishment half a million of those have imports are up 9.2% (103,902) surpassing the full year total of
of an enabling framework to support community projects actually bought the holiday 2018 (100,755).
and participation is well under way and will intensify in the from us. Currently 3,420 new electric vehicles have been registered so
New Year.” C “If we focus just on those far this year compared to 1,224 last year. C