Communities Getting Involved in Sustainable Energy

WE NEED TO CHANGE THE WAYS WE USE ENERGY AND MAXIMISE THE LOCAL, CLEAN ENERGY RESOURCES WE ARE RICH IN

ASK someone what brings people together in your community and nine times out of ten the answer is GAA, sports and recreational clubs, local charity groups etc. Typically energy projects would not feature in the mix. However, a common thread across all communities in Ireland is that any community with town or parish halls, sports facilities, homes and businesses can benefit from being involved in sustainable energy projects. These projects improve the quality and comfort of these buildings. They also help to lower energy bills so the savings can go towards other community resources.

Energy was once a topic of little concern to us all. We flicked on the light switch and there was light, or turned on the heating and there was heat. More and more, people are aware of both the financial and environmental cost of energy, and that energy efficiency is a common sense approach to managing the impact of our energy use. SEAI developed the Sustainable Energy Communities programme over the past few years to help in this regard. The programme helps to provide skills, funding and technical advice to support existing and new communities on their sustainable energy path. A wide range of communities are now involved and are busy carrying out building energy efficiency projects, such as insulation or heating system upgrades and improving the energy performance of their local buildings and facilities.

It is not easy to achieve what these communities have achieved. It takes a lot of hard work to bring people together, plan projects, co-ordinate works, and manage the finance. SEAI has also set up a national network of all interested communities so that they can share experiences and learn from each other. Over forty communities are now active in the network and are progressing at their own pace. The scale of projects and ambition of the communities varies depending on their experience, readiness and ultimately their long term goals. For example, a residents association in County Louth ran a series of energy awareness training sessions for their members. Over one winter, the housing estate of 200 homes made a combined saving of €50,000 on their energy bills.

Another community in Tipperary started their journey by carrying out insulation and lighting upgrades in 25 homes. Three years later, the project involves eight communities collaborating with local development agencies and 130 homes and buildings will have insulation and heating system upgrades carried out.

On the more progressed end of the spectrum we have the Aran Islands where a co-operative was set up with a vision of reducing the islands’ dependence on imported fossil fuels and delivering energy independence by 2022. Already 75% of the three islands’ buildings have had energy upgrades carried out or are planning to do so in the near future.

The good news is that communities of all shapes and sizes can get involved with sustainable energy at any stage. Once there is a willingness and interest to learn and commit to saving energy, SEAI can guide you on the right path.

Our vision is to have sustainable energy communities operating in every part of the country, with community facilities and homes and businesses that are warmer and cheaper to run. We need to change the way we use energy and maximise the local, clean energy resources we are abundantly rich in.