Garden solar lights banish worry of dark winter nights
More hikes as Martin admits it’s ‘out of our control’
AN ENERGY expert has come up with a genius way to illuminate your home if power cuts kick in – bring your garden solar lights indoors.
Paul O’Reilly of Watt Footprint is also warning householders not to buy generators in a panic because the power surge could damage your appliances and an open fire could see your money go up in smoke.
The resident of Bettystown, Co Meath, has over 25 years’ experience as an award-winning energy consultant advising both public and private sector organisations.
As the threat of power cuts looms this winter, Paul says solar light could be householders’ saving grace.
“Most people have solar lights in their garden and if not, many of the hardware shops are often selling them off at discount prices around now,” he said.
“They stay outside most
MICHEAL Martin has admitted that soaring gas prices are out of the Government’s control.
The Taoiseach was speaking after another energy company, Flogas, announced more crippling price hikes on gas and electricity.
Households are going to be hit with increases of 17 per cent for electric bills and 23 per cent for gas bills.
It is the company’s third increase this year and will mean some of its 25,000 customers will have seen their bills double in the past two years.
The average customer’s electricity bill will increase by €350 and gas bills will rise by almost €400 a year.
Mr Martin was speaking from New York City where he was attending the United Nations General Assembly this week.
He said: “In terms of Flogas, again, the future pricing is out of our control in terms of what is happening in terms of the wholesale markets.
Cost HIKE: More gas price hikes are on the way
“And, as I’ve said in the Dail repeatedly, the cost now per therm compared to what the cost of what it would have been two or three years ago is dramatic, up to nine or 10 times more expensive now.
“What we have to do, what the European Union is doing, is working on the market, to see if we can
Flogas Energy general manager Sean O’Loughlin said: “Energy cost increases are affecting all suppliers and while we are continually looking at ways to minimise costs for our customers, we have no option but to increase our rates in the current environment.
“We will support affected customers through our customer service team as much as possible and have a range of options, including payment plans, budget pay and pre-payment meters.
“We would ask any Flogas customer who is facing financial pressure around their energy bills to contact us.”