Graignamanagh Energy Town expands its operations following funding boost

LEADER development officer Julie Kavanagh with Martin O’Brien and Joe Fox of Graiguenamanagh Energy Town signing contracts for community energy funding

placeholder image — LEADER development officer Julie Kavanagh with Martin O’Brien and Joe Fox of Graiguenamanagh Energy Town signing contracts for community energy funding

Kilkenny LEADER Partnership provides financial support

Graignamanagh Energy Town has been approved for funding from Kilkenny LEADER Partnership for the second phase of their energy generation and storage project.

They signed contracts this week to draw down the funds. Initially, GET installed 55 solar panels and a 30kW battery at the Barrow Valley Tourism Hub in 2022.

Now, they’re expanding their number of solar panels and increasing their level of battery storage. They are also trading and supplying energy locally using a Community Virtual Power Platform (CVPP). Consumers who join them purchase some of their energy at a lower rate than the utility provider offers.

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As a result of their initiatives, they are a finalist in the 2025 SEAI Energy Awards. The next phase of the their plan will cost €194,500, of which €116,700 will be contributed by Kilkenny Leader Partnership.

“This is a really innovative project which we are delighted to support,” says Declan Rice, CEO of Kilkenny Leader Partnership. “Graignamanagh is leading the way in community energy generation and we’d like to hear from other Kilkenny communities who are interested in doing the same.”