Minister for Education, Helen McEntee TD, has announced the launch of the second phase of the REPowerEU Energy Inventory Profile Survey, which will assess energy use across nearly 4,000 Irish schools. This initiative is part of Ireland’s broader climate action strategy aimed at achieving 2030 and 2050 climate targets, with a focus on decarbonizing the school sector.
The survey, which began on March 17, 2025, will gather data on energy usage, building specifications, and system efficiencies in approximately 3,300 primary and post-primary schools across the country. The effort aims to establish a national energy profile for schools, identifying areas for improvement in energy efficiency and carbon reduction.
Minister McEntee emphasized the significance of the initiative: “Our schools are going green and helping to generate a national energy profile that will assist in decarbonizing the education sector, making our schools more energy-efficient, and supporting Ireland’s broader climate goals.”
The second phase follows a successful pilot in 2022, which surveyed 562 schools in five counties. The completed data will support decision-making on future capital investments, helping to prioritize decarbonization measures. It also provides insights into renewable energy opportunities and strategies for reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
Phase 2 will involve schools from counties including Dublin, Cork, and Galway, with additional counties to follow. The initiative is funded through REPowerEU, a European Union program designed to reduce dependency on fossil fuels and accelerate the green transition.
Source: Department of Education Press Release
