Community

Sustainable Energy Communities

The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) runs SEC Programme which is focused on empowering communities. Under the programme, SECs can sign up to a three-year partnership where they will be supported and guided by SEAI mentors through planning for their energy future. Driven by collaboration, there are over 600 communities currently using the network to share knowledge, advice, case studies and development tools with other communities. Under the Climate Action Plan, the government aims to expand the SEC Network to 1,500 communities throughout Ireland.
South East Energy Agency are regional coordinators for the southeast working closely with county mentors in each of the four counties – Wexford, Kilkenny, Carlow and Waterford. There are currently over 80 SEC members in the 4 counties at different stages of the journeys.
There is funding through this programme for communities to complete an Energy Master Plan for their community, for more information read more here.

Renewable Energy Support Scheme (RESS)

The Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) is a Government scheme to subsidise and support the development of renewable energy generation projects in Ireland. There are a range of community aspects which have been built into the fabric of RESS to enable communities to participate in the generation of renewable electricity. These include:​

1. A Community category in RESS auctions – portion of auction capacity ring-fenced for community-led projects between 0.5 – 5MW​
2. A Community Enabling Framework – a range of resources to support communities to develop and deliver community renewable energy projects​
3. A mandatory Community Benefit Fund – all successful RESS projects must offer annual community benefit funds of €2/MWh to local communities within the vicinity of the project

Community Grant Programme

The Community Grant Programme is a national retrofit initiative managed by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI).
The Community Grant Programme offers a win-win grant aid solution for parish halls, GAA clubs, farmers, charitable organisations, community groups, public authorities, individuals, and businesses to both lower their energy bills while reducing energy usage. All projects must be community oriented, and you must show that you can sustainably finance the proposed project.
Up to 50% funding will be available for community/not for profit projects and up to 30% funding for businesses, public sector, charitable organisations and housing associations.
Upgrades can take place across building types to reduce energy use and costs throughout the community.
Energy Efficiency upgrades supported by the Community Grant Programme
• Building Fabric Upgrades (wall insulation, energy-smart walls and doors)
• Technological Improvements (boiler replacement or controls upgrades)
• Energy Efficient Lighting
• Renewable Energy Solutions (wind turbines, biomass and solar PV systems)
• Domestic Combined Fabric Upgrades
• Heat Recovery solutions
For any queries please contact us

County Kilkenny Grid Study

A recent study was carried out to determine where the greatest opportunity for community renewable energy may be in county Kilkenny. This study was conduced by BioXL and Mullan Grid Consulting for South East Energy Agency with funding from Kilkenny Leader Partnership and highlights the electricity grid’s capacity for developing community led renewable energy projects in County Kilkenny.

For communities to develop a renewable energy project, there must be capacity in the electricity grid to take the power you produce.

County Waterford Grid Study

Under the Renewable Energy Support Scheme, communities can develop their own renewable energy project of between 0.5 and 5MW. The biggest barrier to developing any renewable energy project is grid capacity. South East Energy Agency applied for Leader funding to carry out a study on where the best sites for community renewable energy projects might be based on the grid capacity.

A recent study conducted by BioXL and Mullan Grid Consulting, for South East Energy Agency with funding from Waterford Leader Partnership highlights the electricity grid’s capacity for developing community led renewable energy projects in County Waterford.

County Wexford Grid Study

The Wexford Grid Study is available here for communities who wish to see the potential in their area for developing a renewable energy project.

A recent study conducted by BioXL and Mullan Grid Consulting, for South East Energy Agency with funding from Wexford Leader Partnership highlights the electricity grid’s capacity for developing community led renewable energy projects in County Wexford.