Tourmak’ leads the way

Tourmakeady officially launches renewable energy centre

Emer Gallagher

IRELAND’S first carbon neutral renewable training academy was officially launched in Tourmakeady last week - and the centre has been hailed as one of the most advanced of its kind in Europe.
The National Energy Training Academy (NETA), situated in the Údarás Industrial Park, Tourmakeady has been in operation since early this year and has already sparked huge interest.
The building that provides all its own heat, electricity and water from renewable sources was officially opened by Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Éamon Ó Cuív, at a special event at the site last week.
The academy’s systems include the latest renewable central heating and renewable electricity technologies with full working systems compliant with the new building regulations due to come into effect next month.
The academy is mainly a training academy for plumbers, installers, architects, engineers and builders which was completely booked out in February, March and April by one of the largest builders’ and plumbers’ merchants in the country. It is currently the only academy in Ireland that can provide training on renewable heat and electricity systems in one location and has bookings for specialist training from as far away as California and Cyprus.
Minister Éamon Ó Cuív welcomed NETA to Tourmakeady and spoke of the importance of putting Mayo on the renewable energy map, not alone in Ireland but in Europe. “We have better renewable resources than most of Europe and it can have an immense benefit in job creation and new product development,” said Minister Ó Cuív.
John Quinn, CEO, NETA, said: “It is the only training facility in Connacht providing this type of training which will be of great benefit to tradespeople in the area. Energy systems in our buildings are becoming very complex and central heating systems now require electronics, microprocessors and computers to meet new building regulations. It’s vital that we have somewhere to upskill the trade with these new requirements.”
 The advanced training academy will also be open to the public, by appointment only, on selected days.
Caroline McAndrew, Marketing Manager, NETA, said there is a vast need for knowledge on the best hot water, heating and electricity systems for houses and buildings. “NETA provides several options to the consumer in all of these areas. We also hope to expand on the range of courses offered to include Blower door testing, Thermal Imaging, Air Tightness and Gas Certification,” she added.