The Launch of Defence Forces Energy Strategy 2010-11.

Chief of Staff, Lt Gen Seán McCann's Speech at the Launch of Defence Forces Energy Strategy 2010-11

Gentlemen,

I am delighted to be here today to launch the Defence Forces Energy Management Strategy 2011-2012.

Thanks to the Director of Engineering for his presentation and to Prof Lewis.
The Director of Engineering has outlined the targets set by the government for the public sector in the area of energy reduction.

The Defence Forces is committed to meeting and indeed exceeding these targets. We are one of the major public sector bodies in the state and intend to lead by example.The audience here today reflects the importance attached to this programme by the General Staff.

The overall reduction targets set by the government and the targets set in the strategy document are ambitious and will require a lot of work to achieve.

The Director of Engineering has outlined the progress made to date.  We have set a high standard, which has been recognised. We cannot afford to be complacent; we must build on that progress and continue to set the example and to take the lead in this area.

Meeting the reduction targets set will help to ensure that we make the optimum use of the budgets made available to us. Implementing the energy management strategy will help in reducing our overheads, this will be very important with reducing budgets going forward.

We have seen how significant the savings could be.

As the Director of Engineering has said, The Senior Energy Executive, chaired by DCOS SP, will monitor progress and will co-ordinate the provision of the resources necessary to meet the targets.

I have highlighted the importance  of energy management in this years Defence Forces Annual Plan, and the target I have set is that we achieve the Internationally recognised  energy management standard, IS EN 16001 for the Defence Forces by the end of 2012.

The area of Energy Efficiency will continue to be highlighted in future annual plans.

The process will have to be pushed forward at all levels. GOCs, barrack commanders and unit commanders have a vital leadership role to play and must be personally involved. Energy efficiency must become as important as factor for the Defence Forces as security is at present.

It must become the norm and should be a factor in all our planning. Our culture as an organisation in respect of energy usage must change. I consider that the area of Energy Efficiency should be a standing item on the agenda for unit Comdrs conference at Formation Level and for General Staff conferences. 

I realise that you are all very busy, but this is an area that cannot be neglected. The challenge in meeting the targets set must not be under-estimated. However, I have full confidence that any obstacles can be overcome. One of the factors that distinguishes the Defence forces from other bodies is our ability to focus and achieve any target we are set. The progress we have made to date and indeed our progress in the area of waste management are proof of that. Let’s prove that to be the case again.

I want to thank Prof Lewis and Declan Melia for attending today. We are delighted to be part of the Public Sector Partnership and we realise that your assistance and advice will be essential going forward.

Congratulations to you on the progress SEAI made nationwide to date.

I also want to thank those involved in preparing the Strategy document  -  Director of Engineering and his staff and the teams from Naval Service, Air Corps, CIS and Transport Corps.

Thank You.

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