A total of €20 million in grant funding has been awarded to almost 40 community energy projects in Ireland.

38 projects will receive the funding through the Better Energy Communities scheme operated by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI).

The funding will provide energy efficiency upgrades to more than 2,600 homes and almost 300 community and commercial facilities.

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The total investment in energy efficiency is almost €48 million, supporting more than 700 direct and indirect jobs right across the country.

SEAI Chief Executive Jim Gannon said: "As communities mature so too does their ability to identify and secure funds independently, gradually reducing their reliance on government funds. Most encouraging though are the innovative ways homeowners are being helped with funding the upfront works costs. SEAI are trialling and overseeing a range of these including bridging finance mechanisms, pay-as-you-save models, enhanced credit union loan terms, employer finance with some commercial participants investing their savings into community energy funds."

(CD)