The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
What can Killorglin do to be more energy efficient?
CSO DATA AND LOCAL SURVEY WILL IDENTIFY ENERGY OPPORTUNITIES
KILLORGLIN has, in the past, proven its willingness to boost its energy efficiency – and that’s why Kerry Sustainable Energy Co-operative (KSEC) has chosen the area to be subject to an energy master plan.
KSEC held a well-attended public meeting on this matter at CYMS Killorglin in recent days, and explained that data collection on energy use is ongoing, with the aim of drawing up a list of opportunities to make the area more energy-efficient; have warmer homes and buildings; reduce carbon emissions; and to see if there is scope for community-owned energy projects.
KSEC board member Anne Marie Fuller explained to The Kerryman that some of the data-collection process is now complete, but the next step is to get the locals to complete an energy-use survey.
“The first part of data collection has been based primarily on data extracted from the Central Statistics Office (CSO),” Ms Fuller explained.
“One aspect of the data that we found interesting is that there is a higher number of people than we expected walking to work, especially closer to the town centre. That shows us there is an appetite for ‘active transport’ if the opportunity presents itself.
“We also collected data to find out the levels of home ownership within the area. That’s important as, of course, retrofitting is more difficult to carry out at rental housing. Landlords are less likely to do it.
“There is also a divergence in terms of solid-fuel use between a rural setting and more-urban setting.”
The next step in mapping baseline energy use by sector in the Killorglin electoral area involves gathering information from the locals themselves.
Locals have been asked to complete a home-energy survey form, copies of which were distributed on the night. The survey is also available at www.surveymonkey.com/r/KSECKillorglinEMP, and can also be obtained by emailing info@ ksec.ie.
Completed print forms can be returned to Killorglin CYMS, or scanned and e-mailed to KSEC.
The survey includes questions on electricity usage, house build, and transport – for example – and will help paint a clearer picture of what energy projects could potentially work well in the area.
“We chose Killorglin because the locality had shown interest in boosting its energy efficiency in the past,” Ms Fuller said.
“For example, a number of community buildings, homes, and businesses in the area have carried out retrofits in recent years.
“We have offered a number of incentives to get as strong a response as possible, with everyone who returns a form by March 1 in with a chance of winning a free energy audit for their home.
“We are also interested in getting feedback from businesses and have a limited number of half-price energy audits available for businesses.
“If they are interested in taking part, they can contact us at info@ksec.ie/,” Ms Fuller added.