An information evening about Sustainable Energy will be held in the Áislann on Tuesday, April 16th at 8:00 p.m.

A Sustainable Energy Community (SEC) is a group of people in which everyone works together to develop a sustainable energy system for the benefit of the community. This is achieved by:

• Aiming, as far as possible, to be energy efficient
• Using renewable energy where feasible
• Adopting smart energy solutions

SEAI have partnered with over 220 communities in the SEC network including small rural towns, neighbourhoods, Third level institutions, Residents' Associations, Tidy Towns Committees, community organisations, County councils, Business groups, Housing Associations etc.
An SEC can include a range of different energy users in the community such as homes, sports clubs, community centres, churches and businesses. In this way, an SEC connects sustainable energy, local economic development and public wellbeing.

By becoming an SEC, your group will be able to access a range of supports from SEAI for energy projects. An integrated community approach makes it possible to deliver much more than is possible at an individual level.
Since 2012 approximately €125 million in community grants has underpinned over €300 million investment nationally in upgrades to 17,500 homes and 2000 non domestic buildings. The SEC Journey involves the Learn – Plan – Do approach.
LEARN: Your community joins the SEC Network, where you can learn about community energy and start thinking about what you can do on the ground.

PLAN: If your community decides to progress, we will support you in doing a baseline Energy Master Plan. You enter a partnership with us, and we provide further supports as you progress this plan.

DO: Once you have developed an Energy Master Plan, your community will be able to prioritise the best energy projects to start with. Then you can identify grants or supports to help achieve these projects.
There are many benefits to being part of an SEC, including to:
• Health – switch from diesel to electric vehicles reducing local emissions of particulates in car exhaust emissions and improving air quality. Warmer homes and buildings can also aid the health of vulnerable people in the community.
• Environmental – moving away from a fossil fuel dependent local energy system is important for the environment, and helps the community become more climate change resilient for current and future generations.
• Economic – developing employment opportunities associated with energy supply or enhanced efficiency. Energy efficient buildings are also cheaper to run.
• Social – warmer, more comfortable buildings are more likely to be used by the community
• Strategic – you can position your community to avail of opportunities in current and future energy policy, local area plans and future development on a national or regional scale.
For more information contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.