A total of 29 community energy initiatives in Ireland have been awarded grants worth a total of €18.6 million.

The schemes will improve the energy efficiency of 2,435 homes and 400 public, private and community buildings. They are also expected to deliver lifetime energy savings of €140 million in the localities concerned.

The grants are being awarded under the Government's Better Energy Communities scheme.

The projects include:

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• Energy Communities Tipperary Cooperative Ltd: Eight Tipperary communities coming together in a co-operative to carry out deep retrofits on 200 homes. The aim of the project is to increase user comfort, reduce energy usage, and generate local employment.

• Castleblaney Credit Union in conjunction with Kingspan: The project covers 24 homes in Castleblaney. The Credit Union will provide finance to 24 homeowners to improve the energy efficiency performance of their homes.

• Camphill Community: A charitable trust working with people with intellectual disabilities and other special needs is leading this project, which involves 99 buildings across all sectors (local authority, public sector, homes, and independent living and community facilities). It involves a mix of fabric upgrades, use of low-energy technologies and renewables.

(CD)