Fishing vessels have been forced to withdraw from a shore side energy supply, due to a threatened 378 per cent increase in prices.
The shoreside scheme for larger vessels in Irish fishery harbours aimed to reduce harmful emissions from diesel generators, required in the case of freezer trawlers and for heat, light and technical equipment on board while in port.
In a letter sent by the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine, and seen by Donegal Daily, it says that it has been advised that current contracts for electricity supply from Electric Ireland, available from the Office of Government Procurement (OGP), expired on November 30th.
The department told fishery harbour centre users in the letter that it had been advised electricity prices may rise by as much as 378 per cent from December 1st, based on a 12-month estimate.
The letter said that usually, OGP utilities protected against volatile price changes, but it had been unable to secure a “replacement framework” for electricity contracts.
It said it would update users in due course, and in the meantime it advised users they may be eligible for the “Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme “ operated by the Revenue Commissioners.
One vessel owner quoted by Donegal Daily, said the increase in the electricity price adds up to €400 per day to their bills.
“This is just another slap in the face for Killybegs fishermen,” he said.
“As of December 1st, every one of us is back using the diesel generators, and we are not even getting a fuel subsidy. The electricity was expensive to begin with, this increase is a joke,” he said.
The shoreside project known as “Cold Ironing” was initiated by the department in July 2020 at a cost of €1.7 million.
It aimed to save on 2,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year – equivalent to taking almost 500 cars off the road and improvements in the local environment through reduced noise and air pollution.
Read more in Donegal Daily here