South East Energy Agency bids to create Ireland’s first ‘near zero emissions’ rural zone

Energy experts with a trusted 20 year track record of delivering low carbon energy solutions across the South-East of Ireland from their Kilkenny headquarters, are now bidding to create the country’s first near zero emissions rural region.

The newly-formed South-East Energy Agency is working across Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford and now Waterford and its mission is to help the four counties become a further magnet for low carbon, energy efficient and sustainable enterprise.

It  builds on the work completed over two decades by the now-expanded South-East Energy Agency, formerly the 3 Counties Energy Agency (3CEA) and its predecessor, the Carlow-Kilkenny Energy Agency.

Over that time, the not-for-profit Energy Agency has been leading the regional and national fight against climate change. Its activities since its foundation have resulted in a CO2 reduction of 71,225 tonnes, saving 328Gwh of total primary energy and an avoided spend of €24 million on energy for its partners. 

Launching the new agency, Marie Donnelly, Chairperson of the Climate Change Advisory Council, said: “One million euro an hour is leaving this country to purchase imported fossil fuel. Ireland’s dependence on fossil fuels is a root cause of high energy costs, supply instability as well as high levels of carbon dioxide emissions.

“We must quickly unlock Ireland’s vast renewable energy resources,  increasing our targets for onshore wind,  solar renewable electricity and BioEnergy projects as well as the pace of delivery through improvements to planning, regulatory and connections processes.

“By expediting the delivery of these crucially important indigenous resources we will secure our long - term energy future, protect households and businesses against cost volatility and support our climate change objectives. This will need strong political and policy support at both a national and local level as well as support to local sustainable energy communities.”

Their expansion into Waterford and drive to create a sustainable energy rural zone further demonstrates the newly-formed South-East Energy Agency’s mission to create a low carbon, energy efficient region,  in partnership with the transport industry, home owners,  local authorities business and farming sector to raise awareness and provide support to those who want to become more energy efficient, CEO, Paddy Phelan, explained. 

“With recent energy security and price shocks impacting all homes, business and communities, we all need to play our part, '' Mr Phelan said.

“The analogy I use is that we all find ourselves all meeting at the same narrow gate to find the gate locked. The combination to that gate is complex. Everyone is looking around to see who has the combination code. Government has one number, supply chain has another and finance has another. Infrastructure has the final 2 numbers.

“The South East Energy Agency is here to help to solve the complex combination, open the gate, widen the gate and ensure safe passage through that gate for every citizen in the region. Without that code made available to everyone, we cannot transition smoothly.

“We are supporting energy users in the South East towards a zero carbon future. Ireland didn’t deliver on our 2020 targets. We can’t wait until the oil runs out to make a switch. Our 2030 targets are much stiffer. We have to start accepting responsibility as individuals and understand there is a way, we will get there, but we all need to play our part in our homes, in our communities and in our own backyards."

The Agency has helped numerous groups, individuals, businesses and the local authority in Kilkenny all reduce their carbon footprint and cut costs. Among them is the Callan Community Energy Company (CCE). It  is set to re-energise Callan, with an ambitious plan for the town to transition to producing all of its own carbon-neutral energy by 2030.

CCE signed up to the National Energy Communities programme with SEAI in 2016 and work is ongoing on its energy masterplan to measure how much energy Callan uses, its potential to generate energy from renewables as well as exploring opportunities for saving energy and reducing emissions.

With the Agency’s assistance the Callan Community will benefit from the potential of grant aid for energy upgrades, lower energy bills, lower carbon emissions and envisions creating direct and indirect jobs and economic benefits as a result of the activities of the company. Other activities include workshops and energy training courses for all community stakeholders and a point of contact for all energy related ideas and energy related enquiries locally.