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INTRODUCTION

The concept of community energy has gained much increased traction in Ireland over recent years. It is likely that the renewed interest in this concept has two main origins:

  • Acknowledgement that top-down driven policies & initiatives have not delivered the required sea-change in trends towards lower energy consumption & energy-related emissions – a more bottom-up focus is required.
  • Many large-scale projects in recent years have received unprecedented levels of opposition due to lack of community engagement and/or community participation.

It is now more broadly accepted that local communities should benefit from the use & conservation of our natural resources, allowing them to create and/or participate in energy efficiency & renewable energy projects within their region.

NATIONAL OVERVIEW

According to the White Paper “Ireland’s Transition to a Low Carbon Energy Future – 2015-2030”, energy transition will require “improved community engagement in policy making and planning”. In this policy document, the concept of energy citizen is central to the energy transition pathway towards a low carbon economy. In particular, the Government envisages supporting citizen participation in renewable energy & energy efficiency projects in the following ways:

  •  Facilitating access to the national grid
  •  Providing funding & supports
  •  Examining shared ownership opportunities
  •  Bringing stakeholders together to find locally appropriate solutions to bridging the gap between demand & supply

SUSTAINABLE ENERGY COMMUNITIES

Following on from the White Paper objective to “empower communities to become agents of change”, the Government has provided funding for the roll-out of the SEAI Sustainable Energy Communities (SEC) programme to enable skills development & capacity-building within communities that will deliver energy conservation & renewable energy projects in a sustainable & replicable manner. The economic benefits from such projects become drivers of additional community co-benefits such as increased disposable income within the local economy, increased local employment, enhanced health & well-being, as well as enabling an increased sense of community among local citizens.

As part of the SEC journey, SEAI enters a partnership approach with the SEC, whereby SEAI provide funding & expertise, while the SEC provides local knowledge & human resources. In addition to the provision of Mentors to the SEC’s, SEAI can make substantial grants available towards the development of Energy Master Plans (EMP’s) & subsequent implementation of those plans. In order to qualify for application for such grants, SEC’s must exhibit clear commitments & organizational structure towards the objectives of the programme.

COMMUNITY GRANTS

SEAI administers a Government-funded Better Energy Communities Grant programme to drive the upgrading of energy upgrades & renewable energy projects within the community. This grant programme supports inclusion of cross-sectoral projects (residential, commercial, voluntary etc) and has increased supports available for projects that address energy poverty. By creating multiple-unit projects, economies of scale are achieved which will drive down costs to the project-owner.

NEXT STEPS

Survey & Design Services is actively involved in the preparation of Better Energy Community Grant Applications, in collaboration with Sustainable Energy Communities.

For any community contemplating their role in the Energy Transition, please feel free to Contact Us for further information.

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