Kilcullen SEC hears how to take next energy step

Pic via Cllr O'Dwyer's Facebook.

Members of the Kilcullen Sustainable Energy Community project were among those who attended a presentation yesterday by Dunleer SEC on how to activate their Master Plans, writes Brian Byrne.

Kilcullen, Monasterevin and Clane have completed their plans, by which everybody in a community works together to develop a sustainable energy system.

The meeting was also addressed by Colm Markey MEP, who noted that at European level it has never been more important to support communities who want to be come sustainable in energy use.

The Kilcullen SEC project was launched in 2018 and subsequently signed up with Kildare County Council to enrol with the Partnership Programme operated by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland.

Kildare's Council was the first local authority in Ireland to provide bridging financial supports to SECs developing their Energy Master Plans, and last November confirmed its commitment to continuing assistance to these beyond the completion of their Master Plans.

Dunleer SEC has taken further steps, acquiring their own premises with the support of Louth County Council. They have two staff members, part funded by the SEAI.

Earlier this year, Cllr Tracey O'Dwyer asked KCC to consider buying the former Bank of Ireland premises in Kilcullen to be used in a similar way as a Climate Action Office.

At yesterday's presentation she congratulated all the volunteer groups in the county who have managed to progress their projects to this stage of the process. She also paid tribute to KCC and the SEAI for their support.  

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