Carrickfergus switches on to Big Energy Saving challenge

NIE Energy will be giving away over £100,000 to groups who come together to save energy as part of the challenge.

Participants can be a group of neighbours, a school class, or indeed any group that shares a common interest. Six groups will be chosen to compete against eachother to see who can make the most saving over a year.

To get the groups started, NIE Energy will provide up to £7500 worth of energy saving measures. Each will be offered advice by an energy saving expert on how to reduce their home energy useage. At the end of the year, the most successful ones will be offered a further £7500 worth of energy efficient goods or renewable technologies.

The overall winner will be the group that saves the most energy over the year, and they will get £20,000 to invest in energy saving for their local community.

Welcoming the team, Mayor of Carrickfergus Alderman Jim McClurg said: “Carrickfergus Borough Council is delighted to encourage our local people to enter the Big Energy Saving Challenge and compete to be one of six groups to receive £7500. The competition is the first of its kind in Northern Ireland, and it will not only benefit the groups involved but everyone who checks out the website, where they will find ways to save money by saving energy. We already have some great groups established in the area and I’d encourage more people to get involved and start saving money.”

Application forms and information on NIE Energy’s grants and special offers can be accessed online at www.nieenergy.co.uk. The closing date for applications is 31 March.