The 3rd EXPRESS study visit hosted by South East Energy Agency held in Kilkenny between the 21st and 23rd of November 2023. The hybrid activity took place over the course of two days and had in attendance representatives from the Southern Regional Assembly (regional policymaking body), and Local Authorities (Carlow Co.Co, Waterford Co.Co). Project partners from Finland (Regional Council of North Karelia, Ely Centre of North Karelia), Croatia (REDEA), France (APC, City of Paris, ADERE), Hungary (Hajdú-Bihar County Government, University of Debrecen), Italy (The Marche Region Municipality), Romania (ALDA) including academia (UCC), and industry practitioners in wind energy and bioenergy were present.
The central theme of the visit focused on community-led wind energy and bioenergy projects, and how they can be replicated within partner regions following Ireland’s success in community-led renewable projects.
Welcoming all participants to the region, Senior Executive Planner from the Southern Regional Assembly, Dominic Walsh, highlighted the goal of the organisation which is to make the Southern Region of Ireland (of which the South East is part of) the greenest and liveable area which is also self-sufficient in renewable energy.
There was a panel discussion among the four LAs based on a SWOT analysis of renewables within the LAs (conducted by the SEEA), a 10-minute presentation on community-led renewable energy projects by project partners/representatives, and practical ways partners link together on the EXPRESS project to support the implementation of Regional Spatial & Economic Strategy (RSES) with RPO 98 Regional Renewable Energy Strategy.
To know more about the study visit, challenges highlighted and innovative solutions, see EXPRESS Interreg Europe
