Áras Chill Dara hosted the event, which took place on Saturday 29 September.
A Sustainable Energy Community (SEC) is a community in which everyone works together to develop a sustainable energy system for the benefit of the community. They do this by, aiming to be as energy efficient as possible, to use renewable energy where feasible and to develop decentralised energy supplies. The sustainable energy community can include all the different energy users including homes, community centres, sports clubs, businesses and churches.
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There are a wide range of benefits in becoming an SEC, including:
• Achieve financial and energy savings
• Promote community building through partnership approach
• Improve public wellbeing through enhanced comfort from energy efficient buildings
• Boost local employment
• Contribute to national energy reduction targets
• Build capacity and leverage funding.
The workshop was organised by Kildare County Council in conjunction with the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and Futurefit who both provide mentorship and expertise to Sustainable Energy Communities all over Kildare. The event was attended by SECs from Kilcullen, Kildare, Naas, Newbridge, Johnstown and Clane, Co Kildare.
Speakers on the day included Barry Griffith (Kildare County Council Energy Manager) Gillian Gannon (Programme Executive, Sustainable Energy Communities, SEAI) plus John Harrington and Gavin Harte (Futurefit).
The workshop was a great success with information on how groups can access up to €15,000 to develop their own energy masterplan to explore energy efficiency, renewable energy and energy upgrades in their communities.
(CM/MH)
