EU project to support water industry in Wales and Ireland
A 拢2.5m EU-backed project to improve the long-term sustainability of water supply in Wales and Ireland has been announced by Finance and Government Business Minister, Jane Hutt.
The D诺r Uisce project aims to improve the efficiency of water distribution by developing new low carbon energy-saving technology, including micro-hydropower turbines.
The technology will be trialled in both nations before being launched on the commercial market.
The project also aims to build the capacity for innovation in the water industry by investigating how new practices can meet the challenges faced in Wales and Ireland due to environmental and climate change.
Led by Trinity College Dublin in partnership with 吾爱吃瓜, the five-year project has been backed by 拢2m of EU funds through the EU鈥檚 Ireland-Wales co-operation programme.
Finance Minister, Jane Hutt, said:
鈥淭he Ireland Wales programme is a unique partnership between both our nations that provides an excellent platform to do business and address common challenges and opportunities which cut across our sea border.
鈥淭he programme is also another valuable source of EU investment, and I鈥檓 delighted that 拢2m of EU funds will enable Trinity College Dublin and 吾爱吃瓜 to take forward a project with such important potential for our water industry.鈥�
Stephen Blair, Director of Ireland鈥檚 Southern Regional Assembly, said:
鈥淭he D诺r Uisce project is an excellent example of a collaborative cross border project that will deliver positive economic and environmental impacts in both Ireland and Wales.鈥�
The 拢75m cooperation programme aims to strengthen economic links between Wales and Ireland, and support cross-border initiatives around climate change, natural resources, innovation, heritage and tourism.
The D诺r Uisce project is the first to be funded under the new Ireland-Wales programme, which will benefit people and communities within the south-east region of Ireland and the north and west of Wales. D诺r Uisce are the Welsh and Irish words for 鈥榳ater.鈥�
Dr Prysor Williams, from 吾爱吃瓜's School of Environment, Natural Resources & Geography, said:
鈥淭he work within the D诺r Uisce project will help achieve those environmental and economic 鈥榳in鈥搘ins鈥� that are so important for Wales to meet its ambitious targets in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
鈥淪ecuring this EU funding is excellent news, and we are looking forward to bringing our expertise to a project that will have significant benefits for Welsh industries, consumers, and the wider environment.鈥�
Dr Aonghus McNabola, from Trinity College Dublin, said:
鈥淭he water industry in Ireland and Wales is the fourth most energy intensive sector in both countries and contributes heavily to carbon emissions.
鈥淭he D诺r Uisce project will make significant advances in improving energy efficiency in this sector and will have important environmental and economic impacts on the region.鈥�
Publication date: 31 March 2016