What is a Sustainable Energy Community?
A ‘Sustainable Energy Community’ (SEC) is a community in which everyone works together to develop a sustainable energy system for the benefit of their community. To do so, they aim as far as possible to be energy efficient, to use renewable energy where feasible and to develop decentralised energy supplies. A SEC can include all the different energy users in the community including homes, sports clubs, community centres, churches and businesses.
As part of the programme Galway County Council works with SEAI mentors to support the completion of community level Energy Masterplans (EMP).
Why become a Sustainable Energy Community?
- Achieve financial and energy savings
- Improve public wellbeing through enhanced comfort from energy efficient buildings
- Boost local employment
- Promote community building through partnership approach
- Build capacity and leverage funding
- Contribute to national energy reduction targets
SECs in County Galway
Galway County Council is currently supporting 12 SECs through the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with SEAI. To date we have committed €200,000 across the following sustainable energy communities through the MoU.
- Athenry
- Ballinasloe
- Clifden Glen
- Doon East
- Dunmore
- Galway County PPN
- Headford
- Kilcolgan Clarinbridge
- Kinvara
- Milltown
- Spiddal
- Leenane.
