Local Minister Denis Naughten recently announced that he has secured at least €30m in grant funding for the Better Energy Communities Scheme in 2017 and he is urging communities across Roscommon to apply.
Commenting on the news Denis Naughten said the Scheme aims to support, inspire and mobilise communities to take control of their own energy use while supporting local construction sector jobs. “There is an opportunity for communities across Roscommon to apply for funding that will have a practical effect in homes, communities and workplaces.
“Using less energy and using it more efficiently is key to tackling climate change and making our surroundings more comfortable and energy efficient. As a nation we have ambitious climate and energy targets to meet and schemes such as this that benefit and help local communities become more energy efficient are a priority for me.”
“The Better Energy Communities scheme gives communities across Ireland the freedom and support to make their own energy decisions. It also supports hundreds of local jobs in the construction industry.”
“There are no magic fixes or silver bullets to the climate and energy challenges we face but I believe that by all of us together across communities being more energy efficient we can build a positive momentum that will create a more energy efficient country for us all. I’m urging community groups and organisations across the county to apply.”
About the Better Energy Communities Scheme
The Better Energy Communities Scheme, administered through the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, encourages community and locally based organisations to apply for funding to upgrade the energy efficiency of buildings in their community. Homes, businesses and community facilities can all benefit
Running alongside the scheme will be supports to help communities develop energy expertise. The Sustainable Energy Communities network offers a networking platform so that communities can come together to share ideas, updates, news and best practice with one another. SEAI appointed mentors are also available to guide communities in developing knowledge and expertise.
Over the past five years the Better Energy Communities scheme has awarded grants of over €85 million. Earlier this year it was announced that Roscommon groups had received funding.
These grants have supported 300 community energy efficiency projects throughout the country. This has leveraged investment of more €170 million that has delivered energy efficiency upgrades to over 15,000 homes and hundreds of community, private and public buildings, supporting several hundred construction sector jobs each year.
SEAI will also be offering one to one engagement with communities that want to put together projects under next year’s scheme. They will also run a series of workshops that will be continued early into the New Year. These workshops will take place across the country and will aim to help community groups to learn from the experiences of other community groups and put together similar projects in their own areas.
Full details on the 2017 call for applications is available on SEAI’s website at: www.seai.ie/bec