Tuesday 30th August 2016

Community energy is one of the key ways communities can start to take back control of their local economy, and their energy supply. Around the world, the idea that communities install, own, and enjoy some of the benefits of renewable energy is growing fast.

This is also what the Irish Government wants, according to Ireland’s Transition to a Low Carbon Energy Future 2015-2030, a White Paper that the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources published earlier this year.

The transition could see the energy system change from one that is almost exclusively Government and utility led, to one where citizens and communities will increasingly be participants in renewable energy generation, distribution and energy efficiency.

The focus of this conference was to highlight national and international examples of community energy generation & supply projects and how local groups can develop similar energy initiatives and sustain local enterprises in the Limerick and Clare Region.

Speakers:

• Pat Stephens, Limerick Clare Energy Agency
• Dirk Vansintjan, President of the European Federation for Renewable Energy Cooperatives
• John Fogarty, The Templederry Community Windfarm, Co. Tipperary
• Karen Arbuckle, Drumlin Wind Farm & Northern Ireland Community Energy
• Department of Communications, Climate Action & Environment. “From Passive Consumer to Active Citizen”
• Cormac Walsh, Energy Co-operatives Ireland
• Philip Cheasty, Enterprise Ireland – EU Funding (Horizon 2020) & National Programmes

Conference Presentations:

• Presentation files are available below.