LARGE COMPANIES that took part in an energy efficiency scheme run by the electricity grid operator EirGrid saved a total of €6.3 million last winter by reducing their use of power during peak hours.

The amount of energy saved through the scheme was equivalent to the typical electricity used in peak hours by 80,000 homes, according to EirGrid.

The 249 companies that took part in the Winter Peak Demand Reduction Scheme saved a combined €1.26 million each month from November 2007 to March 2008.

EirGrid is running the scheme again this winter and will hold workshops for large companies that want to sign up in Dublin and Cork later this month. Under the scheme, companies are financially rewarded for reducing electricity during the peak demand hours of 5pm to 7pm in the winter months.

With no new generators coming onto the grid before 2009, the coming winter is expected to see heavy demand on the Irish transmission system.