Let’s look up for energy solutions
SLIGO and the north west of Ireland is beginning to sit up and take notice of the many advantages of renewable and clean energies, but more must be done if we are to fully harness the potential of what our environment can provide us with.
That’s according to Cllr Jerry Lundy, the Northern and Western Regional Assembly’s representative on the Committee of the Regions ( CoR).
Speaking to The Sligo Champion, the Tubbercurry native says the west and north west of Ireland must become self sustainable and independent in creating its own energy if it is to thrive in the future.
Cllr Lundy, who was elected to the CoR in February 2015, was speaking during the Innovative Energy Solutions for European Regions and Cities event which took place recently in Brussels.
Cllr Lundy said: “In the past we have looked downwards for our source of energy with oil, gas and goal etc. I’m saying let’s look up for a change. There’s plenty of wind to run wind farms and waves to run wave farms in the west of Ireland while you don’t necessarily need sunny days to run a solar panel.”
He said that although there are signs of people in this region relying on renewable energy, we need to be more innovative in using what’s around us to help in ensuring we have a sustainable future.
He says that money saved on local energy initiatives would be spent in local economies.
“We have big strong waves all around the Atlantic coast and the coastline of Sligo”, he continued. There’s also plenty of unused land that would be suitable for solar farms. You take the small farmer that has land on the side of the Ox Mountains. Instead of growing timber, what’s wrong with putting in a solar farm on ten acres and supplying a local town with energy? This a renewable and clean form of energy.
“The most important part of this is making energy cheaper for local people. It’s good for the smaller areas because it saves on energy bills and the money saved can be used in other areas of the local economy.
“Are we doing enough? I don’t think we are right now. But I do think people are starting to realise the importance of renewables. For instance, I see many homes in the Sligo area now using solar panels because they realise the benefits. The only cost is the instillation.
“Even in Tubbercurry there are electric car depots which is great to see.”