Sustainable Energy Communities Programme supported by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland
About this good practice
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. They aim to be energy efficient, to use renewable energy where feasible and to develop decentralised energy supplies. There is a need to assist community groups become a Sustainable Energy Community (SEC). This good practice highlights how the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) i.e., the Irish state, resources the SEC.
The SEC programme allocates SEC mentor time (approx. 6 days)
in forming the SEC:
• attending/ presenting at community workshops
• enabling the SEC to create a Community Charter,
• assisting the SEC draft/submit an Energy Master Plan funding application to SEAI
• draft a Request for Tender and run the procurement process, select a consultant,
manage the consultant,
• run an Energy Master Plan launch event
• allow the SEC to roadmap a community project/engage with a Project Coordinator
The main beneficiaries are communities who avail of this much needed guidance and support. There are currently over 750 communities of varying size in Ireland with the aim of growing this to 1,500 by 2030.
Resources needed
As an example, five SECs could be set up with a fund of €90,000: six days of mentoring for each SEC @€500/day (€15,000). Each SEC can access €15k each to complete a local community Energy Master Plan (€75,000).
Evidence of success
There are currently 34 SEC’s in County Donegal. Inishowen SEC was formed with support from IDP (local development group), Co-Op (local farmer cooperative) and the Local Authority as well as members of the community itself. The EMP is complete. The SEC is very active in the community and has helped coordinate ‘Warmer Homes Scheme’ grant applications (helping older people get grants for energy efficiency measures), it has completed grid assessments and accessed other funding sources.
Potential for learning or transfer
The setting up of a Sustainable Energy Community Programme is potentially interesting for other regions for the following reasons:
1. Feasibility of implementation: Indicates that the GP is adaptable to regions with
constrained resources.
2. Scalability: Set up multiple SECs with a limited fund.
3. Empowerment through local planning: SEC developing a local community Energy
Master Plan (EMP) empowers communities to identify and prioritise energy efficiency
and renewable energy projects.
4. Utilisation of funding: Once SECs have their EMPs in place, they are positioned to
access various funding.
As noted, this programme requires a small amount of funding to set up and then is easy to replicate and scale up. It is running successfully in Ireland and could also be implemented in other Countries. The only stumbling block may be getting interested community members to come together to form a SEC.
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Good practice owner
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