Offaly councillor and publican hit with six-fold jump in electricity bill

FINE Gael councillor John Clendennen has said he will make changes to his pub and glamping business to improve energy efficiency and eliminate his use of oil.

Cllr Clendennen was speaking after a Fine Gael 'budget roadshow' in Tullamore where businesses and local politicians met Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe.

Minister Donohoe explained and defended the various measures in Budget 2023 and encouraged businesses to apply for the newly created Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme (TBESS) which will provide qualifying businesses with up to 40% of the increase in their electricity or gas bills up to €10,000 per month. The scheme will be administered by the Revenue Commissioners.

Speaking to the Tullamore Tribune and Midland Tribune, Cllr Clendennen revealed that his own electricity bill has gone up at least six-fold.

The Kinnitty man said he was pleased that the budget had provided some certainty.

“We've come from one crisis to another, from Covid to the energy situation. There's a lot of uncertainty out there among publicans, among businesses and beyond. But I think in particular what we've seen in the budget is that level of certainty where there will be support. That has given a sense of reassurance,” he said.

“But in saying that it's not going to be a one size fits all for everyone... we're looking at business in a whole new different manner, how we can improve efficiency, how we can reduce costs and how we can ensure the profit stays above the expenses. I think that's the bottom line for everyone.

“I mentioned today in the meeting with Minister Donohoe, the supports are there, there is a reserve fund in place to potentially top it up if needs to be. But I think in the medium to longer-term, our focus really needs to be on independence in terms of energy generation.”

He said the Government should support businesses so they have the opportunity to “overcome regulatory and financial challenges” and be able to then “ensure that they have their own energy sustainability within their own premises”.

“Everything from micro generation to potentially wind energy generation and so on,” said Cllr Clendennen.

“I'm currently undergoing a process of study to introduce a lot of these measures within my own business which I'll have by spring 2023. Solar panels, new systems for heating, plumbing, pellet stoves and so on, to basically eliminate my dependence on oil completely.”

He also said he will try to renegotiate prices when his electricity supplier contract finishes and attempt to get a forecast on costs for the “heavy months” of November, December and January when temperatures are lower, evenings are shorter and there is greater dependence on power.

Another Fine Gael representative, Cllr Neil Feighery, said he was delighted that Minister Donohoe came to Tullamore and stated the reaction from the local business community at the meeting in the Court Hotel on Wednesday morning was overwhelmingly positive.

“With any budget obviously there are issues. And the Minister for Finance made a very important point that if there are budgets where there are no issues you can be damn sure the way history [has gone] we are hurtling towards a crisis,” said Cllr Feighery.

“So this has been a prudent budget with €11bn of our own tax revenues being committed to the economy. What heartens me is that it has given the supports to business, but has also given support to working families and middle income earners.”